Then bending almost to the ground before the answering stroke, he leapt and thrust with all the strength of young limbs trained to war.

He thrust and behold! between the broad shoulders of Amathel pierced from breast to back, appeared the point of the Egyptian's sword.

For a moment the prince stood still, then he fell backwards heavily and lay dead.
Now, with a shout of rage the giants of the Nubian guard rushed at Rames to avenge their master's death, so that he must fly backwards before their spears, backwards into the ranks of the Pharaoh's guard.

In a flash the Nubians were on them also and, how none could tell, a fearful fray began, for these soldiers hated each other, as their fathers had done before them, and there were none who could come between them, since at this feast no man bore weapons save the guards.

Fierce was the battle, but the Nubians lacked a captain while Rames led veterans of Thebes picked for their valour.
The giants began to give.