"The demand is an insult put forward to force us to rebellion, since there is no man in Egypt who will not be ready to die in defence of the Royal Lady of Egypt." This statement was received with a shout of applause by every Egyptian in the hall.

Idernes waited until it had died away, then said, "Prince Peroa and Egyptians, you have conveyed to me certain commands sealed with the Signet of signets, which I think was stolen by yonder Shabaka.

Now hearken; until this matter is made clear I will obey those commands thus far.

I will return with my army to Sais and there wait until I have received the orders of the Great King, after report made to him.

If so much as an arrow is shot at us on our march, it will be open rebellion, as the price of which Egypt shall be crushed as she was never crushed before, and every one of you here present shall lose his head, save only the lady Amada who is the property of the Great King.