“Ay,” replied the priest with a mocking smile.  “We send him to build a bridge!  Oh, this bridge!  A grey-beard’s withered brain recommends it to be thrown across the stream, and the idea just suits this pitiful son of a great father, who would certainly never have shunned swimming through the wildest whirlpool, especially when revenge was to be sought.  Let Hosea essay the bridge!  If it leads him back across the stream to us, I will offer him a right warm and cordial welcome; but as soon as this one man stands on our shores, may its supports sink under the leaders of his people; we, the only brave souls in Egypt, must see to that.”

“So be it.  Yet I fear we shall lose the chief, too, if justice overtakes his people.”

“It might almost seem so.”

“You have greater wisdom than I.”

“Yet here you believe me in error.”

“How could I venture to . . . .”

“As a member of the military council you are entitled to your own opinion, and I consider myself bound to show you the end of the path along which you have hitherto followed us with blindfold eyes.  So listen, and judge accordingly when your turn comes to speak in the council.  The chief-priest Rui is old . . . .”

“And you now fill half his offices.”

“Would that he might soon be relieved of the last half of his burden.  Not on my own account.  I love strife, but for the welfare of our native land.  It is a deep-seated feeling of our natures to regard the utterances and mandates of age as wisdom, so there are few among the councillors who do not follow the old man’s opinions; yet his policy limps on crutches, like himself.  All good projects are swamped under his weak, fainthearted guidance.”

“That is the very reason my vote is at your disposal,” cried the warrior.  “That is why I am ready to use all my might to hurl this sleeper from the throne and get rid of his foolish advisers.”

The prophet laid his finger on his lips to warn his companion to be more cautious, drew nearer to him, pointed to his litter, and said in a low, hurried tone: 

“I am expected at the Sublime Porte, so listen.  If Hosea’s mission is successful his people will return—­the guilty with the innocent—­and the latter will suffer.  Among the former we can include the whole of Hosea’s tribe, who call themselves the sons of Ephraim, from old Nun down to the youth in your dwelling.”

“We may spare them; but Mesu, too, is a Hebrew, and what we do to him. . . .”

“Will not occur in the public street, and it is child’s play to sow enmity between two men who desire to rule in the same sphere.  I will make sure that Hosea shall shut his eyes to the other’s death; but Pharaoh, whether his name is Meneptah or”—­he lowered his voice—­“Siptah, must then raise him to so great a height—­and he merits it—­that his giddy eyes will never discern aught we desire to conceal.  There is one dish that never palls on any man who has once tasted it.”