So the sheep and all the foodstuffs for the journey were bought from Jabez at his own price, for which he thanked me much, and on the third day we started.  At the last moment the Prince, whose mood seemed to be perverse that evening, refused to travel with the host upon the morrow because of the noise and dust.  In vain did the Count Amenmeses reason with him, and Nehesi and the great officers implore him almost on their knees, saying that they must answer for his safety to Pharaoh and the Princess Userti.  He bade them begone, replying that he would join them at their camp on the following night.  I also prayed him to listen, but he told me sharply that what he said he had said, and that he and I would journey in his chariot alone, with two armed runners and no more, adding that if I thought there was danger I could go forward with the troops.  Then I bit my lip and was silent, whereon, seeing that he had hurt me, he turned and craved my pardon humbly enough as his kind heart taught him to do.

“I can bear no more of Amenmeses and those officers,” he said, “and I love to be in the desert alone.  Last time we journeyed there we met with adventures that were pleasant, Ana, and at Tanis doubtless I shall find others that are not pleasant.  Admit that Hebrew priest who is waiting to instruct me in the mysteries of his faith which I desire to understand.”

So I bowed and left him to make report that I had failed to shake his will.  Taking the risk of his wrath, however, I did this—­for had I not sworn to the Princess that I would protect him?  In place of the runners I chose two of the best and bravest soldiers to play their part.  Moreover, I instructed that captain who smote down Laban to hide away with a score of picked men and enough chariots to carry them, and to follow after the Prince, keeping just out of sight.

So on the morrow the troops, nobles, and officers went on at daybreak, together with the baggage carriers; nor did we follow them till many hours had gone by.  Some of this time the Prince spent in driving about the town, taking note of the condition of the people.  These, as I saw, looked on us sullenly enough, more so than before, I thought, perhaps because we were unguarded.  Indeed, turning round I caught sight of a man shaking his fist and of an old hag spitting after us, and wished that we were out of the land of Goshen.  But when I reported it to the Prince he only laughed and took no heed.

“All can see that they hate us Egyptians,” he said.  “Well, let it be our task to try to turn their hate to love.”

“That you will never do, Prince, it is too deep-rooted in their hearts; for generations they have drunk it in with their mother’s milk.  Moreover, this is a war of the gods of Egypt and of Israel, and men must go where their gods drive them.”

“Do you think so, Ana?  Then are men nothing but dust blown by the winds of heaven, blown from the darkness that is before the dawn to be gathered at last and for ever into the darkness of the grave of night?”