It was nightfall, and Pharaoh sat at meat and Meriamun sat by him. Theheart of Pharaoh was very heavy. He thought of that great army which nowwashed to and fro on the waters of the Sea of Weeds, of whose numberhe alone had lived to tell the tale. He thought also of the host of theApura, who made a mock of him in the desert. But most of all he broodedon the tidings that the messenger had brought, tidings of the marchof the barbarians and of the fleet of the Aquaiusha that sailed on theeastern stream of Sihor. All that day he had sat in his council chamber,and sent forth messengers east and north and south, bidding them gatherthe mercenaries from every town and in every city, men to make waragainst the foe, for here, in his white-walled city of Tanis, there wereleft but five thousand soldiers. And now, wearied with toil and war, hesat at meat, and as he sat bethought him of the man whom he had left toguard the Queen.
"Where, then, is that great Wanderer, he who wore the golden harness?"he asked presently.
"I have a tale to tell thee of the man," Meriamun answered slowly, "atale which I have not told because of all the evil tidings that beatabout our ears like sand in a desert wind."
"Tell on," said Pharaoh.
Then she bent towards him, whispering in his ear.
As she whispered, the face of Pharaoh grew black as the night, and ereall the tale was done he sprang to his feet.
"By Amen and by Ptah!" he cried, "here at least we have a foe whom wemay conquer. Thou and I, Meriamun, my sister and my queen, are set asfar each from each as the sky is set from the temple top, and littleof love is there between us. Yet I will wipe away this blot upon thyhonour, which also is a blot upon my own. Sleepless shall this Wandererlie to-night, and sorry shall he go to-morrow, but to-morrow night heshall sleep indeed."
Thereupon he clapped his hands, summoning the guard, and bade them passto the dungeon where the Wanderer lay, and lead him thence to the placeof punishment. He bade them also call the tormentors to make ready theinstruments of their craft, and await him in the place of punishment.
Then he sat for awhile, drinking sullenly, till one came to tell himthat all was prepared. Then Pharaoh rose.
"Comest thou with me?" he asked.
"Nay," said Meriamun, "I would not look upon the man again; and this Icharge thee. Go not down to him this night. Let him be found upon thebed of torment, and let the tormentors give him food and wine, for so heshall die more hardly. Then let them light the fires at his head and athis feet and leave him till the dawn alone in the place of torment. Sohe shall die a hundred deaths ere ever his death begins."
"As thou wilt," answered Pharaoh. "Mete out thine own punishment.To-morrow when I have slept I will look upon his torment." And he spoketo his servants as she desired.