Nitager's scar-covered officers listened with astonishment to the ready speech of Eunana, and thought, "He will be raised above others!"
"Eunana," said the minister, "Thou art not only diligent, but pious; not only pious, but watchful as an ibis over water. The gods have poured out on thee every virtue: they have given thee serpent cunning, with the eye of a falcon."
"Pure truth flows from thy lips, worthiness," added Eunana. "Were it not for my wonderful sight, I should not have seen the two scarabs."
"Yes, and Thou wouldst not have saved our camp from sacrilege. For this deed, worthy of the most pious Egyptian, I give thee."
Here the minister took a gold ring from his finger.
"I give thee this ring with the name of the goddess Mut, whose favor and prudence will accompany thee to the end of thy worldly wandering, if Thou deserve it."
His worthiness delivered the ring to Eunana, and those present uttered a great shout in honor of the pharaoh, and rattled their weapons.
As Herhor did not move, Eunana stood and looked him in the eyes, like a faithful dog which having received one morsel from his master is wagging his tail and waiting.
"And now," continued the minister, "confess, Eunana, why Thou didst not tell whither the heir to the throne went when the army was marching along the ravine with such difficulty. Thou didst an evil deed, for we had to sound the alarm in the neighborhood of the enemy."
"The gods are my witnesses that I know nothing of the most worthy prince," replied the astonished Eunana.