Ramses commanded to raise the camp. He sent three native Egyptian regiments to Libya, commanding the soldiers to treat people mildly and never wander from the camp singly. The army proper he turned toward Memphis, leaving a small garrison at the glass huts and in the fortress.
About nine in the morning, in spite of the heat, both armies were on the road; one going northward, the other toward the south.
The holy Mentezufis approached the heir then, and said,
"It would be well, worthiness, couldst Thou reach Memphis earlier.
There will be fresh horses half-way."
"Then my father is very ill?" cried out Ramses.
The priest bent his head.
The prince gave command to Mentezufis, begging him to change in no way commands already made, unless he counseled with lay generals. Taking Pentuer, Tutmosis, and twenty of the best Asiatic horsemen, he went himself on a sharp trot toward Memphis.
In five hours they passed half the journey; at the halt, as Mentezufis had declared, were fresh horses and a new escort. The Asiatics remained at that point, and after a short rest the prince with his two companions and a new escort went farther.
"Woe to me!" said Tutmosis. "It is not enough that for five days I have not bathed and know not rose perfumed oil, but besides I must make in one day two forced marches. I am sure that when we reach Memphis no dancer will look at me."
"What! Art Thou better than we?" asked the prince.