The Prince was surprised at this question, and the manner of the King. Evidently Cambyses was endeavoring to restrain his passions and speak pleasantly to him.
“I have not seen the royal lady since I bade her farewell at Persepolis and took with me her pledge to marry me,” he answered. “Neither have I had a letter from her since the day when it pleased you to make a new law that the King might marry his sisters. Nor have I heard what has become of her, save that I did hear rumors that she had escaped or had been slain by your orders.”
“The report that Athura is dead is not true!” said Cambyses. “She fled from the palace the day my decree was made and keeps well hidden, though my slaves have searched the world for her. Find her and marry her, if you will! You have my consent. Let that subject be forgotten between us. Is this army ready to march?”
“It is ready.”
“Then let the march begin on the morrow. The insults we have received from Egypt’s King must be avenged and that country added to our empire. It is said to be very rich. I am weary with the day’s journey and will rest. Give such orders as you deem necessary. Cambyses, the King of Kings, remembers not the former days. My trust and favor I give to you; and my consent to your marriage with Athura shall not be withdrawn.”
He turned away, and the Prince with a salute left the pavilion. It seemed to the latter that the sky had taken on a new glory and that the golden rays of the setting sun were indicative of joy. A load had been lifted from his heart. Athura had escaped a miserable fate and must be still alive. One so resourceful as she would know how to save herself. It mattered little that Cambyses hated him. His duty demanded faithful service to the King and his oath to the Great King would remain unbroken. He called together his friends among the officers and briefly informed them that all present cause for dissatisfaction had been removed and that he expected of them loyal service to the King.
On the next day the great army slowly uncoiled its vast length and moved down the narrow coast-line of Canaan, bearing woe to ancient Egypt.
Egypt was ill-prepared for war. From the time that Cyrus had reduced all Syria, including Canaan, to subjection, the Egyptian King, Amasis, had known that a conflict with the new world-power would come. He had heard of the preparations for war made by Cambyses and had endeavored to make ready. But Egypt had long since lost its ancient vigor. Its people had become rich and indolent. They loved not war. They depended mainly upon foreign auxiliaries hired by their money for their defense. Thirty thousand Greeks and many thousand adventurers from other lands formed the main strength of the Egyptian army. Levies drawn from an agricultural and trading people among the Egyptians themselves were neither practiced in war nor enthusiastic in the service and made poor soldiers. They were brave and many in number, but they knew little discipline. They could not stand before the fearful rush of the Persian cavalry or the tiger-like ferocity of the Aryan infantry. They outnumbered the army of Cambyses, but their very numbers were a source of weakness because of their lack of discipline.
Just as the war was beginning, old King Amasis had died, leaving his throne to a youth named Psammenitus, who had not the skill himself nor good generals to lead his army. But he marched forth and took position in the desert near Pelusium, with the left of his line of battle resting on the Great Sea and its right protecting the water-wells and barring the main caravan road to Egypt, determined to strike one blow in defense of his kingdom. His Greeks were placed on the left, supported by Cretan slingers. The center was held by stout Ethiopian infantry, black men of ferocious courage, armed with javelins and swords, terrible in close contest. Behind them was a mass of Egyptians. On the right, where the plain was more level, there were two hundred chariots supported by a mass of irregular cavalry, principally Arabs, armed with scimiters and long, slender spears.
The Prince of Iran led the Aryan host with his thirty thousand horsemen of the Guard, driving back the Arab cavalry which came out to harass his advance, until the position and extent of the Egyptian army were disclosed. From the crest of a sand-dune near the sea, he carefully surveyed the position occupied by Psammenitus. It was the afternoon of a cloudless day. At his right glistened the sea, its oily waves scarce rippling on the shores. At his left and rear, the mountains of Palestine were a dim cloud on the horizon. Before him was a vast plain, gray and brown with dust and sand, where the opposing army was making ready for battle. He noted the orderly Greeks, the dark array of Ethiopians, and the wheeling, clattering chariots, taking their appointed places. The Prince was accompanied by Gobryas and several of his chief captains, who stood near with the light of battle in their eyes and joy in their hearts. For the long, hot marches would end here in victory. They did not dream of defeat.