with some balsam," Atsu continued, addressing the sentry, "and a
captain of the constabulary next. We will cure these Bedouins and
their hurt at once."

"Nay," the visitor protested. "It is only a spear-slit in my hand, and
a flying stirrup marred my face. I am well. Look to the Bedouins,
however; they ran our messenger through--Set consume them!"

"Doubt not, we shall look to them. They grow strangely insolent of
late."

"Small wonder," the other responded heartily. "Is not the whole north
a seething pot of lawlessness; and by the demons of Amenti, is not the
Israelite the fire under the caldron? Nay, but I shall have especial
joy in damping him!"

The man laughed and dropped into the chair Atsu had offered him.

"Then thou art Horemheb, the new taskmaster over Pa-Ramesu?"

"So! has my news outridden me?" the man exclaimed in very evident
amazement.

Ranas, indifferently clad in a hastily donned kamis, at this moment
parted the curtains of his retreat and came forth with an apologetic
courtesy.

"And thy messenger, sir? What of him?" he asked eagerly.

"Dead, and left at a wayside house."