“If you seek me, Laban, I am here,” replied Merapi, speaking from the shadow of the cloak.
“What do you there alone with an Egyptian, Merapi?” he said fiercely.
What followed I do not know for they spoke so quickly in their unfamiliar tongue that I could not understand them. At length Merapi turned to the Prince, saying:
“Lord, this is Laban my affianced, who commands me to descend from the chariot and accompany him as best I can.”
“And I, Lady, command you to stay in it. Laban your affianced can accompany us.”
Now at this Laban grew angry, as I could see he was prone to do, and stretched out his hand as though to push Seti aside and seize Merapi.
“Have a care, man,’ said the Prince, while I, throwing down the straw, drew my sword and sprang between them, crying:
“Slave, would you lay hands upon the Prince of Egypt?”
“Prince of Egypt!” he said, drawing back astonished, then added sullenly, “Well what does the Prince of Egypt with my affianced?”
“He helps her who is hurt to her home, having found her helpless in the desert with this accursed straw,” I answered.