"But, Bes, you smelt of him also, and worse."

"Yes, Master, but that painted cousin of the King came first. I kept
well behind him, pretending to be afraid," and he chuckled quietly,
adding, "I expect that he is now telling an angry tale about me to
Osiris, or to the Grasshopper that takes him there, as it may happen."

"These Easterns worship neither Osiris, nor your Grasshopper, Bes, but
a flame of fire."

"Then he is telling the tale to the fire, and I hope that it will get
tired and burn him."

So we talked merrily enough because we had done great deeds and
thought that we had outwitted the Easterns and the King, not knowing
all their craft. For none had told us that that man who hunted with
the King and yet dared to draw arrow upon the quarry before the King
should be put to death as one who had done insult to his Majesty. This
that royal fox remembered and therefore was sure that he would win the
wager.

Now the chariots turned and passing down a path came to an open space
that was cleared of reeds. Here they halted, that of the King and my
own side by side with ten paces between them, and those of the court
behind. Meanwhile huntsmen with dogs entered the great brake far away
to the right and left of us, also in front, so that the lions might be
driven backwards and forwards across the open space.

Soon we heard the hounds baying on all sides. Then Bes made a sucking
noise with his great lips and pointed to the edge of the reeds in