Know that this poor dwarf whom you took captive and saved long years ago was more than the petty chief which he declared himself to be.

He was and is by right the King of the Ethiopians and that throne with all its wealth and power he could claim to-morrow if he would." "The King of the Ethiopians!" I said.

"Oh! friend Bes, I pray you to remember that we no longer stand in yonder court lying for our lives." "I speak no lie, O Shabaka, I before you am King of the Ethiopians.
Moreover, I laid that kingship down of my own will and should I so desire, can take it up again when I will, since the Ethiopians are faithful to their kings." "Why ?" I asked, astonished.
"Master, for so I will still call you who am not yet upon the land of Egypt where you have promised me freedom, do you remember anything strange about the people of that tribe from among whom you and the Egyptian soldiers captured me by surprise, because they wished to drive you and your following from their country ?" Now I thought and answered, "Yes, one thing.

I saw no women in their camp, nor any sign of children.
This I know because I gave orders that such were to be spared and it was reported to me that there were none, so I supposed that they had fled away." "There were none to fly, Master.

That tribe was a brotherhood which had abjured women.