Fast as sped our horses, rumour, or rather the truth, carried by those who had gone before us, flew faster. Oh! that journey was as a dream begotten by the evil gods. On we galloped through the day and through the night and lo! at every town and village women rushed upon us crying:
"Is it true, O travellers, is it true that Pharaoh and his host are perished in the sea?"
Then old Bakenkhonsu would call in answer:
"It is true that he who /was/ Pharaoh and his host are perished in the sea. But lo! here is he who /is/ Pharaoh," and he pointed to the Prince, who took no heed and said nothing, save:
"On! On!"
Then forward we would plunge again till once more the sound of wailing died into silence.
It was sunset, and at length we drew near to the gates of Memphis. The Prince turned to me and spoke.
"Heretofore I have not dared to ask," he said, "but tell me, Ana. In the gloom after the great cliff of water fell and the shapes of terror swept by, did you seem to see a woman stand before us and did you seem to hear her speak?"
"I did, O Prince."
"Who was that woman and what did she say?"
"She was one who bore a child to you, O Prince, which child is not, and she said, 'Oh! help me, my lord Seti. Help me, my lord Seti!'"
His face grew ashen even beneath its veil of dust, and he groaned.
"Two who loved her have seen and two who loved her have heard," he said. "There is no room for doubt. Ana, she is dead!"
"I pray the gods----"
"Pray not, for the gods of Egypt are also dead, slain by the god of Israel. Ana, who has murdered her?"
With my finger I who am a draughtsman drew in the thick dust that lay on the board of the chariot the brows of a man and beneath them two deep eyes. The gilt on the board where the sun caught it looked like light in the eyes.
The Prince nodded and said:
"Now we shall learn whether great magicians such as Ki can die like other men. Yes, if need be, to learn that I will put on Pharaoh's crown."
We halted at the gates of Memphis. They were shut and barred, but from within the vast city rose a sound of tumult.
"Open!" cried the Prince to the guard.
"Who bids me open?" answered the captain of the gate peering at us, for the low sun lay behind.