Only they stared at us as we went, and stared and stared again.
Without the door of the pavilion, by command of the Prince, I called aloud the substance of the lady Merapi's dream, and warned all within earshot to cease from pursuing the people of Israel, if they would continue to live to look upon the sun.

Yet even now, although to speak thus was treason against Pharaoh, none lifted a hand against the Prince, or against me his servant.

Often since then I have wondered why this was so, and found no answer to my questionings.

Mayhap it was because of the majesty of my master, whom all knew to be the true Pharaoh, and loved at heart.

Mayhap it was because they were sure that he would not have travelled so far and placed himself in the power of Amenmeses save to work the armies of Egypt good, and not ill, and to bring them a message that had been spoken by the gods themselves.
Or mayhap it was because he was still hedged about by that protection which the Hebrews had vowed to him through their prophets with the voice of Jabez.