“Now we shall learn whether great magicians such as Ki can die like other men. Yes, if need be, to learn that I will put on Pharaoh’s crown.”
We halted at the gates of Memphis. They were shut and barred, but from within the vast city rose a sound of tumult.
“Open!” cried the Prince to the guard.
“Who bids me open?” answered the captain of the gate peering at us, for the low sun lay behind.
“Pharaoh bids you open.”
“Pharaoh!” said the man. “We have sure tidings that Pharaoh and his armies are slain by wizardry in the sea.”
“Fool!” thundered the Prince, “Pharaoh never dies. Pharaoh Amenmeses is with Osiris but the good god Seti Meneptah who is Pharaoh bids you open.”
Then the bronze gates rolled back, and those who guarded them prostrated themselves in the dust.
“Man,” I called to the captain, “what means yonder shouting?”
“Sir,” he answered, “I do not know, but I am told that the witch who has brought woe on Egypt and by magic caused the death of Pharaoh Amenmeses and his armies, dies by fire in the place before the temple.”