Ramses rested both hands on the edge of the chariot and looked from the height of the hill at the Libyans, and at his own men, as a golden- headed eagle looks down on many colored partridges. Pride filled the prince from foot to head, and all present felt that it was impossible to have more power than was possessed by that victorious commander.
But in one instant the prince's eyes lost their brightness, and on his face the bitterest surprise was depicted. Pentuer was standing near him,
"Bend thy ear, lord," whispered he. "Since Thou hast left Pi-Bast wondrous changes have taken place there. Thy Phoenician woman, Kama, has fled with Lykon."
"With Lykon?" repeated the prince.
"Move not, Erpatr, and show not to thousands that Thou feelest sorrow in the day of thy triumph."
Now there passed below the prince an endless line of Libyans with fruit and bread in baskets, as well as wine and olive oil in roomy pitchers for the army. At sight of this a murmur of delight was spread among the warriors, but Ramses, occupied with Pentuer's story, took no note of what was passing.
"The gods," said the prophet in a whisper, "have punished the traitorous Kama."
"Is she caught?" inquired the prince.
"She is caught, but they have sent her to the eastern colony, because leprosy attacked her."
"O gods!" whispered Ramses. "But may it not threaten me?"