If we flee they have camels and horses and will overtake us; also ships of which we have none.

If we attack it must be without cover through swamp where we shall be bogged.
"Meanwhile Pharaoh is perishing within yonder walls of Amada which the engines batter down.

By the Grasshopper! I know not what to do.

It seems that our journey is vain and that few of us will see Ethiopia more; also that Egypt is sped." I made no answer, for here my generalship failed me and I had nothing to say.

The captains, too, were silent, only woman-like, Karema wept a little, and I too went near to weeping who thought of Amada penned in yonder temple like a lamb that awaits the butcher's knife.
Suddenly, coming from the door of the tent which I thought was closed, I heard a deep voice say, "I have ever noted that those of Ethiopian blood are melancholy after sundown, though of Egyptians I had thought better things." Now about this voice there was something familiar to me, still I said nothing, nor did the others, for to speak the truth, all of us were frightened and thought that we must dream.