Seized with thirst in the desert, we refused to go on; and a suspicion that the king intended to sacrifice us to the Greek mercenaries drove the army to open mutiny.

In my usual joking manner I called out to my friends: 'You can never get on without a king, take me for your ruler; a merrier you will never find!' The soldiers caught the words.

'Amasis will be our king,' ran through the ranks from man to man, and, in a few hours more, they came to me with shouts, and acclamations of 'The good, jovial Amasis for our King!' One of my boon companions set a field-marshal's helmet on my head: I made the joke earnest, and we defeated Hophra at Momempliis.

The people joined in the conspiracy, I ascended the throne, and men pronounced me fortunate.

Up to that time I had been every Egyptian's friend, and now I was the enemy of the best men in the nation.
"The priests swore allegiance to me, and accepted me as a member of their caste, but only in the hope of guiding me at their will.