"The supreme council commands me not to go one step from thee, worthiness."
Ramses shook himself angrily.
"But if we fall into an ambush?"
"I will not leave thee in ambush," answered the priest.
CHAPTER XLIV
THERE was in his voice so much kindliness that the astonished prince was silent and let him go.
They were in the desert; a couple of hundred yards behind them was an army; in front were fugitives several hundred yards in advance. But though they beat and urged on their horses, the fleeing, as well as the pursuers, advanced with great difficulty. The sun poured from above dreadful heat on them, the fine but sharp dust pushed itself into their mouths, into their nostrils, into their eyes above all; under their horses' feet the burning sand gave way at every step. In the air reigned a deathlike silence.
"But it will not continue like this," said Ramses.
"It will be worse and worse," answered Pentuer. "Dost Thou see, worthiness," he indicated the fugitives, "their horses are in sand to their knees?"
The prince laughed, for at that moment they came out on ground which was firmer, and trotted about a hundred yards. But soon their road was confronted by a sea of sand, and again they advanced step by step slowly.