Lastly, tell the man this, that if he does not come and afterwards falls into my hands or into those of the lord Shabaka, he who talks of whips shall be scourged with them till his life creeps out from between his bare bones." Thus spoke Bes, rolling his great eyes and looking so terrible that the herald and the officer fell back a step or two.

Then I told them that if my offer did not please them, I myself would fight, first Idernes and then the noble.

So they returned.
The end of it was that we saw Idernes and his captain advancing, followed by a guard of ten men.

Then after I had explained all things to my officers, I also advanced with Bes, followed by a guard of ten picked men.

We met between the armies on a little sandy plain at the foot of the rise and there followed talk between the captains of our guards as to arms and so forth, but we four said nothing to each other, since the time for words was past.