"The people are like a herd of bulls, and we like prudent ants. Hence we will honor our new lord so that he may enjoy health and protect us from ruin."

In this way the opposition of dignitaries, very strong some months earlier, had grown silent and yielded to boundless obedience. The whole aristocracy, all the priests, fell on their faces before Rameses XIII.; Mefres and Herhor alone were unshaken.

Hence when the pharaoh returned from Sunnu to Thebes the chief treasurer brought unfavorable news the first day to him.

"All the temples," said he, "refuse credit, and beg most obediently that thou, holiness, command to pay in the course of two years all sums which they have lent the treasury."

"I understand," said the pharaoh; "this is the work of holy Mefres.

How much do we owe them?"

"About fifty thousand talents."

"We have to pay fifty thousand talents in two years," repeated the pharaoh. "Well, what more?"

"The taxes come in very slowly. During three months we have received barely one-fourth of what is due us."

"What has happened?"

The treasurer was anxious.

"I have heard," said he, "that some people have explained to earth-tillers that during thy reign they are not to pay taxes."

"Oh! ho!" cried Rameses, laughing. "Those 'some people' seem to me very like the worthy Herhor. Well, what is this; does he want to kill me with hunger? How can we meet current expenses?"

"At Hiram's command the Phnicians lend us," answered the treasurer.

"We have received from them eight thousand talents already."

"But do ye give them notes?"

"Notes and mortgages," sighed the treasurer. "They say that this is a simple formality. Still they settle on thy lands, and take what they can from the people."

Delighted with the reception given him by the people and the obedience of magnates, the pharaoh was not even angry at Herhor and Mefres. The time of anger had pa.s.sed, the moment of action had come, and Rameses formed his plan that very day. He summoned for the morrow those in whom he had most reliance: the high priest Sem, the prophet Pentuer, his favorite Tutmosis, and the Phnician Hiram. When they had a.s.sembled he said,--

"Ye know, of course, the temples request me to return to them the funds borrowed by my father. Every debt is sacred, that which belongs to the G.o.ds I should like to pay first of all. But my treasury is empty, since even the taxes come in only fitfully.

"For this reason I look on the state as in danger, and I am forced to turn for funds to treasures preserved in the labyrinth."

The two priests moved uneasily.

"I know," continued the pharaoh, "that according to our sacred laws my decree is not sufficient to open to us the vaults of the labyrinth.

But the priests there have explained what is needful. I must summon representatives of all orders in Egypt, thirteen men from each order, and obtain a confirmation of my will from them."

The pharaoh smiled at this point, and finished,--

"To-day I have called you to help me to summon that a.s.sembly of the orders, and this is my command to you:

"Thou, worthy Sem, wilt select for me thirteen priests and thirteen nomarchs. Thou, pious Pentuer, will bring to me from various provinces thirteen land-tillers and thirteen artisans. Tutmosis will bring thirteen officers and thirteen n.o.bles; and Prince Hiram will occupy himself in bringing thirteen merchants. I wish that this a.s.sembly should meet at the very earliest in my palace in Memphis and, without losing time in vain talk, recognize that the labyrinth is to furnish means to my treasury."

"I make bold to remind thee, holiness," said Sem, "that at that a.s.sembly the worthy Herhor and the worthy Mefres must be present, and that, according to law, and even duty, they are to oppose touching the treasure in the labyrinth."

"Of course I agree to that," replied the pharaoh promptly. "They will give their reasons, I mine; the a.s.sembly will judge whether a state can exist without money, and whether it is wise to waste treasure in darkness while the state is threatened with indigence."

"A few sapphires of those which are in the labyrinth would suffice to pay all debts to Phnicians," said Hiram. "I will go at once among the merchants and find not thirteen but thirteen thousand who will vote at thy command, O holiness."

Then the prince fell on his face and took farewell of the sovereign.

When Hiram went out, the high priest said,--

"I know not whether it was well to have a foreigner at this consultation."

"I needed him here; for not only has he great influence over our merchants, but, what is more important, he is obtaining money for us at present. I wish to convince the man that I remember what is due to him, and have means to pay it."

Silence followed, which Pentuer made use of, and said,--

"If thou permit, O holiness, I will go at once to occupy myself with a.s.sembling land-tillers and artisans. They will all vote with our lord, but from the mult.i.tude we must select the wisest."

He took leave of the pharaoh and went out.

"But thou, Tutmosis," inquired Rameses.

"My lord," said the favorite, "I am so certain of thy n.o.bility and army that I make bold to turn to thee with a request for myself."

"Thou wishest money?"

"Not at all. I wish to marry."

"Thou!" exclaimed the pharaoh. "What woman has earned from the G.o.ds such a happiness?"

"She is the beautiful Hebron, the daughter of Antefa, the most worthy nomarch of Thebes," replied Tutmosis, laughing. "If thou wilt be pleased to speak on my behalf to that revered family--I had thought to say that my love for thee would be increased, but I will not say so, for I should tell untruth."

"Well, well," said the pharaoh, slapping him on the shoulder, "do not persuade me of that which I know. I will go to Antefa to-morrow and it seems to me that in the course of a few days I shall arrange a wedding. But now thou mayst go to thy Hebron."

Left with Sem alone, his holiness said,--

"Thy face is gloomy. Dost thou doubt that we may find thirteen priests to carry out my orders?"

"I am certain," replied Sem, "that almost all the priests and nomarchs will do what may be needed for the happiness of Egypt and thy satisfaction, holiness. But be pleased not to forget that when it is a question of the treasure of the labyrinth the final decision will be given to Amon."

"Is that the statue of Amon in Thebes?"

"It is."

The pharaoh waved his hand contemptuously,--

"Amon is Herhor and Mefres. That they will not agree I know; but I have no intention of sacrificing Egypt to the stubbornness of two persons."

"Thou art mistaken, holiness," answered Sem with dignity. "It is true that very often statues of G.o.ds do what high priests wish, but not always. In our temples mysterious and uncommon things happen sometimes. At moments the statues of the G.o.ds say and do what they themselves wish."

"In that case I am at rest," interrupted the pharaoh. "The G.o.ds know the condition of the state, and they read my heart. I wish Egypt to be happy. And as I am striving to that end alone no wise and good G.o.d can hinder me."