But Bes leapt on him like an ape upon a bird, and held him fast.
"Seize that thief," said Peroa to his servants, "and let him receive fifty blows with the rods.

His hand I spare because he must travel." They laid the man down and the rods having been fetched, gave him the blows until at the thirtieth he howled for mercy, crying out that it was true and that it was he who had captained the robbers, words which Peroa caused to be written down.

Then he asked him why he, a messenger from the Satrap, had robbed in the streets of Memphis, and as he refused to answer, commanded the officer of justice to lay on.

After three more blows the man said, "O Prince, this was no common robbery for gain.

I did what I was commanded to do, because yonder noble had about him the ancient White Seal of the Great King which he showed to certain of the Satrap's servants by the banks of the canal.