Tutmosis bent to the earth.
"I will never get drunk again," added the prince. "And knowest Thou why?"
"A leader should abstain from wine and stupefying perfumes," said
Tutmosis.
"I have not thought of that, that is nothing; but I have babbled out a secret before the priests."
"What secret?" cried the terrified Tutmosis.
"This, that I hate them, and jeer at their miracles."
"Oh, that is no harm. They never calculate on the love of people."
"And that I know their political secrets," added the prince.
"Ei!" hissed Tutmosis. "That is the one thing that was not needed."
"No help for it now," said Ramses. "Send out our couriers immediately to the regiments; let the chiefs meet to-morrow morning in a military council. Give command to light alarm signals, so that all the troops of Lower Egypt may march toward the western border to-morrow. Go to the nomarchs here, and command them to inform all the others to collect clothing, provisions, and weapons."