“It seems that this Egyptian has killed a lion,” said the King to one of his lords, him of the painted face and scented hair.

“May be please the King,” he answered, bowing, “a tail is not the whole beast and may have been taken thither, or cut from a lion lying dead already.  The King knows that the Egyptians are great liars.”

So he spoke because he was jealous of the deed.

“These men look as though they had met a live one, not one that is dead,” said the King, scanning our blood-stained shapes.  “Still, as you doubt it, you will wish to put the matter to the proof.  Therefore, Cousin, take six men with you, enter the reeds and search.  In that soft ground it will be easy to follow their footmarks.”

“It is dangerous, O King,” began the prince, for such he was, no less.

“And therefore the task will be the more to your taste, Cousin.  Go now, and be swift.”

So six hunters were called and the prince went, cursing me beneath his breath as he passed us.  For he was terribly afraid, and with reason.  Suddenly Bes ceased from his antics and prostrating himself, cried,

“A boon, O King.  This noble lord throws doubt upon my master’s word.  Suffer that I may lead him to where the lion lies dead, since otherwise wandering in those reeds the great King’s cousin might come to harm and the great King be grieved.”

“I have many cousins,” said the King.  “Still go if you wish, Dwarf.”

So Bes ran after the prince and catching him up, tapped him on the shoulder with the lion’s tail to point out the way.  Then they vanished into the reeds and I went to the chariot to wash off the blood from my body and clothes.  As I fastened my robe I heard a sound of roaring, then one scream, after which all grew still.  Now I drew near to the reeds and stood between them and the King’s camp.

Presently on their edge appeared Bes dancing and singing as before, but this time he held a lion’s tail in either hand.  After him came the six hunters dragging between them the body of the lion we had killed.  They staggered with it towards the King, and I followed.

“I see the dwarf,” he said.  “I see the dead lion and I see the hunters.  But where is my cousin?  Make report, O Bes.”

“O King of kings,” replied Bes, “the mighty prince your cousin lies flat yonder beneath the body of that lion’s wife.  She sprang upon him and killed him, and I sprang upon her and killed her with my spear.  Here is her tail, O King of kings.”

“Is this true?” he asked of the hunters.

“It is true, O King,” answered their captain.  “The lioness, which was wounded, leapt upon the prince, choosing him although he was behind us all.  Then this dwarf leapt upon the lioness, being behind the prince and nearest to him, and drove his spear through her shoulders to her heart.  So we brought the first lion as the King commanded us, since we could carry no more.”