Then from afar on the right wing were heard sounds of trumpets, and shouts repeated frequently. That was the unterrified Patrokles; drunk since daylight, he was attacking the rear guard of Libya.
"Charge!" said the prince.
Immediately that order was repeated by one, two, ten trumpets, and after a moment the Egyptian companies pushed out from all the ravines. The slingers disposed on the hilltops redoubled their efforts, while in the valley, without haste, but also without disorder, the Egyptian spearmen and axemen arranged in four columns moved forward gradually.
"Strengthen the centre," said the prince.
A trumpet repeated the command. Behind two columns of the first line two new columns were placed. Before the Egyptians had finished that maneuver, under a storm of missiles, the Libyans, following their example, had arranged themselves in eight columns against the main corps of Egypt.
"Forward, reserves!" shouted the prince. "See," said he, turning to one of the adjutants, "whether the left wing is ready."
To see the valley at a glance, and more accurately, the adjutant rushed in among the slingers, and fell immediately, but beckoned with his hand. Another rushed to replace him and returned quickly to state that both wings of the prince's division were drawn up in order.
From the division commanded by Patrokles came an increasing uproar, and higher than the hill dense rolls of dark smoke were rising.
An officer from Pentuer ran to the prince reporting that the Libyan camp had been fired by the Greek regiments.
"Force the centre!" cried Ramses.