Or perchance, as sometimes I thought afterwards, he only pretended to be drunk.

Also I saw something else, namely, Bes, wondrously attired with the gold chain about his neck and wearing a red headdress.

He was seated on the carpet before the throne, and saying things that made the King laugh and even caused the grave officers behind to smile.
I came to the dais and at a little sign from Bes who yet did not seem to see me, such a sign as he often made when he caught sight of game before I did, I prostrated myself.

The King looked at me, then asked, "Who is this ?" adding, "Oh, I remember, the Egyptian whose arrows do not miss, the wonderful hunter whom Idernes sent to me from Memphis, which I hope to visit ere long.

We quarrelled, did we not, Egyptian, something about a lion ?" "Not so, King," I answered.