He picked up his crumpled roll and was about to retire when through the gloom of the falling night, some men mounted upon asses were seen riding over the mud flats that border the Nile at this spot, towards that bank where the ship was moored.
"The captain of my guard," said Abi, who saw the starlight gleam upon a bronze helmet, "who brings me Pharaoh's answer.

Nay, go not, bide and hear it, Kaku, and give us your counsel on it, your true counsel." So the astrologer stood aside and waited, till presently the captain appeared saluting.
"What says Pharaoh, my brother ?" asked the Prince.
"Lord, he says that he will receive you, though as he did not send for you, he thinks that you can scarcely come upon any necessary errand, as he has heard long ago of your victory over the desert-dwelling barbarians, and does not want the offering of the salted heads of their officers which you bring to him." "Good," said Abi contemptuously.

"The divine Pharaoh was ever a woman in such matters, as in others.

Let him be thankful that he has generals who know how to make war and to cut off the heads of his enemies in defence of the kingdom.

We will wait upon him to-morrow." "Lord," added the captain, "that is not all Pharaoh's message.