CHAPTER VII
THE AMBUSH
Eight full days went by before we left the land of Goshen. The storythat the Israelites had to tell was long, sad also. Moreover, they gaveevidence as to many cruel things that they had suffered, and when thiswas finished the testimony of the guards and others must be called, allof which it was necessary to write down. Lastly, the Prince seemed tobe in no hurry to be gone, as he said because he hoped that the twoprophets would return from the wilderness, which they never did. Duringall this time Seti saw no more of Merapi, nor indeed did he speakof her, even when the Count Amenmeses jested him as to his chariotcompanion and asked him if he had driven again in the desert bymoonlight.
I, however, saw her once. When I was wandering in the town one daytowards sunset, I met her walking with her uncle Jabez upon one side andher lover, Laban, on the other, like a prisoner between two guards. Ithought she looked unhappy, but her foot seemed to be well again; atleast she moved without limping.
I stopped to salute her, but Laban scowled and hurried her away. Jabezstayed behind and fell into talk with me. He told me that she wasrecovered of her hurt, but that there had been trouble between her andLaban because of all that happened on that evening when she came by it,ending in his encounter with the captain.
"This young man seems to be of a jealous nature," I said, "one who willmake a harsh husband for any woman."
"Yes, learned scribe, jealousy has been his curse from youth as it iswith so many of our people, and I thank God that I am not the woman whomhe is to marry."
"Why, then, do you suffer her to marry him, Jabez?"
"Because her father affianced her to this lion's whelp when she wasscarce more than a child, and among us that is a bond hard to break.For my own part," he added, dropping his voice, and glancing round withshifting eyes, "I should like to see my niece in some different placeto that of the wife of Laban. With her great beauty and wit, she mightbecome anything--anything if she had opportunity. But under our laws,even if Laban died, as might happen to so violent a man, she could wedno one who is not a Hebrew."
"I thought she told us that her mother was a Syrian."
"That is so, Scribe Ana. She was a beautiful captive of war whom Nathancame to love and made his wife, and the daughter takes after her. Stillshe is Hebrew and of the Hebrew faith and congregation. Had it not beenso, she might have shone like a star, nay, like the very moon afterwhich she is named, perhaps in the court of Pharaoh himself."
"As the great queen Taia did, she who changed the religion of Egypt tothe worship of one god in a bygone generation," I suggested.
"I have heard of her, Scribe Ana. She was a wondrous woman, beautifultoo by her statues. Would that you Egyptians could find such anotherto turn your hearts to a purer faith and to soften them towards us pooraliens. When does his Highness leave the land of Goshen?"
"At sunrise on the third day from this."
"Provision will be needed for the journey, much provision for so large atrain. I deal in sheep and other foodstuffs, Scribe Ana."
"I will mention the matter to his Highness and to the Vizier, Jabez."
"I thank you, Scribe, and will in waiting at the camp to-morrow morning.See, Laban returns with Merapi. One word, let his Highness beware ofLaban. He is very revengeful and has not forgotten that sword-blow onthe head."
"Let Laban be careful," I answered. "Had it not been for his Highnessthe soldiers would have killed him the other night because he daredto offer affront to the royal blood. A second time he will not escape.Moreover, Pharaoh would avenge aught he did upon the people of Israel."
"I understand. It would be sad if Laban were killed, very sad. But thepeople of Israel have One who can protect them even against Pharaoh andall his hosts. Farewell, learned Scribe. If ever I come to Tanis, withyour leave we will talk more together."
That night I told the Prince all that had passed. He listened, and said:
"I grieve for the lady Merapi, for hers is like to be a hard fate. Yet,"he added laughing, "perhaps it is as well for you, friend, that youshould see no more of her who is sure to bring trouble wherever shegoes. That woman has a face which haunts the mind, as the Ka haunts thetomb, and for my part I do not wish to look upon it again."
"I am glad to hear it, Prince, and for my part, I have done with women,however sweet. I will tell this Jabez that the provisions for thejourney will be bought elsewhere."
"Nay, buy them from him, and if Nehesi grumbles at the price, pay it onmy account. The way to a Hebrew's heart is through his treasure bags.If Jabez is well treated, it may make him kinder to his niece, of whom Ishall always have a pleasant memory, for which I am grateful among thissour folk who hate us, and with reason."
So the sheep and all the foodstuffs for the journey were bought fromJabez at his own price, for which he thanked me much, and on the thirdday we started. At the last moment the Prince, whose mood seemed to beperverse that evening, refused to travel with the host upon the morrowbecause of the noise and dust. In vain did the Count Amenmeses reasonwith him, and Nehesi and the great officers implore him almost on theirknees, saying that they must answer for his safety to Pharaoh and thePrincess Userti. He bade them begone, replying that he would join themat their camp on the following night. I also prayed him to listen, buthe told me sharply that what he said he had said, and that he and Iwould 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 thetroops. Then I bit my lip and was silent, whereon, seeing that he hadhurt me, he turned and craved my pardon humbly enough as his kind hearttaught him to do.
"I can bear no more of Amenmeses and those officers," he said, "and Ilove to be in the desert alone. Last time we journeyed there we met withadventures that were pleasant, Ana, and at Tanis doubtless I shall findothers that are not pleasant. Admit that Hebrew priest who is waiting toinstruct 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 hiswill. Taking the risk of his wrath, however, I did this--for had I notsworn to the Princess that I would protect him? In place of the runnersI chose two of the best and bravest soldiers to play their part.Moreover, I instructed that captain who smote down Laban to hide awaywith a score of picked men and enough chariots to carry them, and tofollow 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 manyhours had gone by. Some of this time the Prince spent in driving aboutthe town, taking note of the condition of the people. These, as I saw,looked on us sullenly enough, more so than before, I thought, perhapsbecause we were unguarded. Indeed, turning round I caught sight of a manshaking his fist and of an old hag spitting after us, and wished that wewere out of the land of Goshen. But when I reported it to the Prince heonly laughed and took no heed.
"All can see that they hate us Egyptians," he said. "Well, let it be ourtask to try to turn their hate to love."
"That you will never do, Prince, it is too deep-rooted in theirhearts; 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 mustgo where their gods drive them."
"Do you think so, Ana? Then are men nothing but dust blown by thewinds of heaven, blown from the darkness that is before the dawn to begathered at last and for ever into the darkness of the grave of night?"
He brooded a while, then went on.
"Yet if I were Pharaoh I would let these people go, for without doubttheir god has much power and I tell you that I fear them."
"Why will he not let them go?" I asked. "They are a weakness, not astrength to Egypt, as was shown at the time of the invasion of theBarbarians with whom they sided. Moreover, the value of this rich landof theirs, which they cannot take with them, is greater than that of alltheir labour."
"I do not know, friend. The matter is one upon which my father keepshis own c
ounsel, even from the Princess Userti. Perhaps it is because hewill not change the policy of his father, Rameses; perhaps because he isstiff-necked to those who cross his will. Or it may be that he is heldin this path by a madness sent of some god to bring loss and shame onEgypt."
"Then, Prince, all the priests and nobles are mad also, from CountAmenmeses down."
"Where Pharaoh leads priests and nobles follow. The question is, wholeads Pharaoh? Here is the temple of these Hebrews; let us enter."
So we descended from the chariot, where, for my part, I would haveremained, and walked through the gateway in the surrounding mud wallinto the outer court of the temple, which on this the holy seventh dayof the Hebrews was full of praying women, who feigned not to see us yetwatched us out of the corners of their eyes. Passing through them wecame to a doorway, by which we entered another court that was roofedover. Here were many men who murmured as we appeared. They were engagedin listening to a preacher in a white robe, who wore a strange shapedcap and some ornaments on his breast. I knew the man; he was the priestKohath who had instructed the Prince in so much of the mysteries of theHebrew faith as he chose to reveal. On seeing us he ceased suddenly inhis discourse, uttered some hasty blessing and advanced to greet us.
I waited behind the Prince, thinking it well to watch his back among allthose fierce men, and did not hear what the priest said to him, as hewhispered in that holy place. Kohath led him forward, to free him fromthe throng, I thought, till they came to the head of the little templethat was marked by some steps, above which hung a thick and heavycurtain. The Prince, walking on, did not see the lowest of these stepsin the gloom, which was deep. His foot caught on it; he fell forward,and to save himself grasped at the curtain where the two halves of itmet, and dragged it open, revealing a chamber plain and small beyond, inwhich was an altar. That was all I had time to see, for next instant aroar of rage rent the air and knives flashed in the gloom.
"The Egyptian defiles the tabernacle!" shouted one. "Drag him out andkill him!" screamed another.
"Friends," said Seti, turning as they surged towards him, "if I havedone aught wrong it was by chance----"
He could add no more, seeing that they were on him, or rather on me whohad leapt in front of him. Already they had grasped my robes and my handwas on my sword-hilt, when the priest Kohath cried out:
"Men of Israel, are you mad? Would you bring Pharaoh's vengeance on us?"
They halted a little and their spokesman shouted:
"We defy Pharaoh! Our God will protect us from Pharaoh. Drag him forthand kill him beyond the wall!"
Again they began to move, when a man, in whom I recognized Jabez, theuncle of Merapi, called aloud:
"Cease! If this Prince of Egypt has done insult to Jahveh by will andnot by chance, it is certain that he will avenge himself upon him. Shallmen take the judgment of God into their own hands? Stand back and waitawhile. If Jahveh is affronted, the Egyptian will fall dead. If he doesnot fall dead, let him pass hence unharmed, for such is Jahveh's will.Stand back, I say, while I count threescore."
They withdrew a space and slowly Jabez began to count.
Although at that time I knew nothing of the power of the god of Israel,I will say that I was filled with fear as one by one he counted, pausingat each ten. The scene was very strange. There by the steps stood thePrince against the background of the curtain, his arms folded and alittle smile of wonder mixed with contempt upon his face, but not a signof fear. On one side of him was I, who knew well that I should share hisfate whatever it might be, and indeed desired no other; and on the otherthe priest Kohath, whose hands shook and whose eyes started from hishead. In front of us old Jabez counted, watching the fierce-facedcongregation that in a dead silence waited for the issue. The count wenton. Thirty. Forty. Fifty--oh! it seemed an age.
At length sixty fell from his lips. He waited a while and all watchedthe Prince, not doubting but that he would fall dead. But instead heturned to Kohath and asked quietly if this ordeal was now finished, ashe desired to make an offering to the temple, which he had been invitedto visit, and begone.
"Our God has given his answer," said Jabez. "Accept it, men of Israel.What this Prince did he did by chance, not of design."
They turned and went without a word, and after I had laid the offering,no mean one, in the appointed place, we followed them.
"It would seem that yours is no gentle god," said the Prince to Kohath,when at length we were outside the temple.
"At least he is just, your Highness. Had it been otherwise, you who hadviolated his sanctuary, although by chance, would ere now be dead."
"Then you hold, Priest, that Jahveh has power to slay us when he isangry?"
"Without a doubt, your Highness--as, if our Prophets speak truth, Ithink that Egypt will learn ere all be done," he added grimly.
Seti looked at him and answered:
"It may be so, but all gods, or their priests, claim the power totorment and slay those who worship other gods. It is not only women whoare jealous, Kohath, or so it seems. Yet I think that you do your godinjustice, seeing that even if this strength is his, he proved moremerciful than his worshippers who knew well that I only grasped the veilto save myself from falling. If ever I visit your temple again it shallbe in the company of those who can match might against might, whether ofthe spirit or the sword. Farewell."
So we reached the chariot, near to which stood Jabez, he who had savedus.
"Prince," he whispered, glancing at the crowd who lingered not far away,silent and glowering, "I pray you leave this land swiftly for here yourlife is not safe. I know it was by chance, but you have defiled thesanctuary and seen that upon which eyes may not look save those of thehighest priests, an offence no Israelite can forgive."
"And you, or your people, Jabez, would have defiled this sanctuary ofmy life, spilling my heart's blood and _not_ by chance. Surely you area strange folk who seek to make an enemy of one who has tried to be yourfriend."
"I do not seek it," exclaimed Jabez. "I would that we might havePharaoh's mouth and ear who soon will himself be Pharaoh upon our side.O Prince of Egypt, be not wroth with all the children of Israel becausetheir wrongs have made some few of them stubborn and hard-hearted.Begone now, and of your goodness remember my words."
"I will remember," said Seti, signing to the charioteer to drive on.
Yet still the Prince lingered in the town, saying that he feared nothingand would learn all he could of this people and their ways that he mightreport the better of them to Pharaoh. For my part I believed that therewas one face which he wished to see again before he left, but of this Ithought it wise to say nothing.
At length about midday we did depart, and drove eastwards on the trackof Amenmeses and our company. All the afternoon we drove thus, precededby the two soldiers disguised as runners and followed, as a distantcloud of dust told me, by the captain and his chariots, whom I hadsecretly commanded to keep us in sight.
Towards evening we came to the pass in the story hills which bounded theland of Goshen. Here Seti descended from the chariot, and we climbed,accompanied by the two soldiers whom I signed to follow us, to the crestof one of these hills that was strewn with huge boulders and lined withridges of sandstone, between which gullies had been cut by the winds ofthousands of years.
Leaning against one of these ridges we looked back upon a wondroussight. Far away across the fertile plain appeared the town that we hadleft, and behind it the sun sank. It would seem as though some stormhad broken there, although the firmament above us was clear and blue.At least in front of the town two huge pillars of cloud stretched fromearth to heaven like the columns of some mighty gateway. One of thesepillars was as though it were made of black marble, and the other liketo molten gold. Between them ran a road of light ending in a glory, andin the midst of the glory the round ball of Ra, the Sun, burned like theeye of God. The spectacle was as awesome as it was splendid.
"Have you ever seen such a sky in Egypt, Prince?" I asked.
; "Never," he answered, and although he spoke low, in that great stillnesshis voice sounded loud to me.
For a while longer we watched, till suddenly the sun sank, and only theglory about it and above remained, which took shapes like to the palacesand temples of a city in the heavens, a far city that no mortal couldreach except in dreams.
"I know not why, Ana," said Seti, "but for the first time since I was aman I feel afraid. It seems to me that there are omens in the sky and Icannot read them. Would that Ki were here to tell us what is signifiedby the pillar of blackness to the right and the pillar of fire to theleft, and what god has his home in the city of glory behind, and howman's feet may walk along the shining road which leads to its pylongates. I tell you that I am afraid; it is as though Death were very nearto me and all his wonders open to my mortal sight."
"I too am afraid," I whispered. "Look! The pillars move. That of firegoes before; that of black cloud follows after, and between them I seemto see a countless multitude marching in unending companies. See how thelight glitters on their spears! Surely the god of the Hebrews is afoot."
"He, or some other god, or no god at all, who knows? Come, Ana, let usbe going if we would reach that camp ere dark."
So we descended from the ridge, and re-entering the chariot, drove ontowards the neck of the pass. Now this neck was very narrow, not morethan four paces wide for a certain distance, and, on either side ofthe roadway were tumbled sandstone boulders, between which grew desertplants, and gullies that had been cut by storm-water, while beyond theserose the sides of the mountain. Here the horses went at a walk towards aturn in the path, at which point the land began to fall again.
When we were about half a spear's throw from this turn of a sudden Iheard a sound and, glancing to the right, perceived a woman leaping downthe hillside towards us. The charioteer saw also and halted the horses,and the two runner guards turned and drew their swords. In less thanhalf a minute the woman had reached us, coming out of the shadow so thatthe light fell upon her face.
"Merapi!" exclaimed the Prince and I, speaking as though with onebreath.
Merapi it was indeed, but in evil case. Her long hair had broken looseand fell about her, the cloak she wore was torn, and there were bloodand foam upon her lips. She stood gasping, since speak she could not forbreathlessness, supporting herself with one hand upon the side of thechariot and with the other pointing to the bend in the road. At last aword came, one only. It was:
"Murder!"
"She means that she is going to be murdered," said the Prince to me.
"No," she panted, "you--you! The Hebrews. Go back!"
"Turn the horses!" I cried to the charioteer.
He began to obey helped by the two guards, but because of the narrownessof the road and the steepness of the banks this was not easy. Indeedthey were but half round in such fashion that they blocked the pathwayfrom side to side, when a wild yell of 'Jahveh' broke upon our ears,and from round the bend, a few paces away, rushed a horde of fierce,hook-nosed men, brandishing knives and swords. Scarcely was there timefor us to leap behind the shelter of the chariot and make ready, whenthey were on us.
"Hearken," I said to the charioteer as they came, "run as you never ranbefore, and bring up the guard behind!"
He sprang away like an arrow.
"Get back, Lady," cried Seti. "This is no woman's work, and see herecomes Laban to seek you," and he pointed with his sword at the leader ofthe murderers.
She obeyed, staggering a few paces to a stone at the roadside, behindwhich she crouched. Afterwards she told me that she had no strength togo further, and indeed no will, since if we were killed, it were betterthat she who had warned us should be killed also.
Now they had reached us, the whole flood of them, thirty or forty men.The first who came stabbed the frightened horses, and down they wentagainst the bank, struggling. On the chariot leapt the Hebrews, seekingto come at us, and we met them as best we might, tearing off our cloaksand throwing them over our left arms to serve as shields.
Oh! what a fight was that. In the open, or had we not been prepared, wemust have been slain at once, but, as it was, the place and the barrierof the chariot gave us some advantage. So narrow was the roadway, thewalls of which were here too steep to climb, that not more than four ofthe Hebrews could strike at us at once, which four must first surmountthe chariot or the still living horses.
But we also were four, and thanks to Userti, two of us were clad in mailbeneath our robes--four strong men fighting for their lives. Against uscame four of the Hebrews. One leapt from the chariot straight at Seti,who received him upon the point of his iron sword, whereof I heard thehilt ring against his breast-bone, that same famous iron sword whichto-day lies buried with him in his grave.
Down he came dead, throwing the Prince to the ground by the weight ofhis body. The Hebrew who attacked me caught his foot on the chariotpole and fell forward, so I killed him easily with a blow upon the head,which gave me time to drag the Prince to his feet again before anotherfollowed. The two guards also, sturdy fighters both of them, killed ormortally wounded their men. But others were pressing behind so thick andfast that I could keep no count of all that happened afterwards.
Presently I saw one of the guards fall, slain by Laban. A stab on thebreast sent me reeling backwards; had it not been for that mail I wassped. The other guard killed him who would have killed me, and thenhimself was killed by two who came on him at once.
Now only the Prince and I were left, fighting back to back. He closedwith one man, a very great fellow, and wounded him on the hand, so thathe dropped his sword. This man gripped him round the middle and theyrolled together on the ground. Laban appeared and stabbed the Prince inthe back, but the curved knife he was using snapped on the Syrian mail.I struck at Laban and wounded him on the head, dazing him so that hestaggered back and seemed to fall over the chariot. Then others rushedat me, and but for Userti's armour three times at least I must havedied. Fighting madly, I staggered against the rock, and whilst waitingfor a new onset, saw that Seti, hurt by Laban's thrust, was now beneaththe great Hebrew who had him by the throat, and was choking the life outof him.
I saw something else also--a woman holding a sword with both hands andstabbing downward, after which the grip of the Hebrew loosened fromSeti's throat.
"Traitress!" cried one, and struck at her, so that she reeled back hurt.Then when all seemed finished, and beneath the rain of blows my senseswere failing, I heard the thunder of horses' hoofs and the shout of"_Egypt! Egypt!_" from the throats of soldiers. The flash of bronzecaught my dazed eyes, and with the roar of battle in my ears I seemed tofall asleep just as the light of day departed.
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