Apura once again. Now Death waits on those who let them pass the doors."

Then one of the two men, he who was shaven like a priest, cried with a
great voice:

"_Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!_ Hearken to the word of Jahveh. Wilt thou
let the people go?"

"I will not let them go," he answered.

"_Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!_ Hearken to the word of Jahveh. If thou
wilt not let the people go, then shall all the firstborn of Khem, of the
Prince and the slave, of the ox and the ass, be smitten of Jahveh. Wilt
thou let the people go?"

Now Pharaoh hearkened, and those who were at the feast rose and cried
with a loud voice:

"O Pharaoh, let the people go! Great woes are fallen upon Khem because
of the Apura. O Pharaoh, let the people go!"

Now Pharaoh's heart was softened and he was minded to let them go, but
Meriamun turned to him and said:

"Thou shalt not let the people go. It is not these slaves, nor the God
of these slaves, who bring the plagues on Khem, but it is that strange
Goddess, the False Hathor, who dwells here in the city of Tanis. Be
not so fearful--ever hadst thou a coward heart. Drive the False Hathor
thence if thou wilt, but hold these slaves to their bondage. I still
have cities that must be built, and yon slaves shall build them."