The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-14

What hast thou done With the Is
raelite?' he asked in a tone so low that
none but Har-hat heard him. But the
fan bearer did not doubt the earnest
ness in the quiet demand.
'.She escaped me-" the fan bearer an
swered.
Hast thou spoken truly
81 have said. as Osiris hears me.
Have done. l have no more time for
thee!'
Stand thou there. l have not done
with thee
The thin nostril of the fan bearer ex-
panded and quiyered wrathfully.
..Have a care, thou insolent!" he ex-
claimed.
Kenkenes did not seem to hear him.
he had turned toward Meneptah-
"I have dared overfar, my king"
he said, because Of my love for Egypt
and my concern for thee. Bear with
me further, I pray thee
Meneptah bent his head in assent
Suffer mine inquiry, O son Of Ptah.
Wilt thou tell me upon whose persua-
sion thou hast gathered thine army and
set forth to pursue Israeli"
upon the persuasion Of Har-hat my
minister"
'Yet this question further, my king:
Wherefore would he have thee over
take these people?
'.Since It was foolish to let them 80,
being my slaves, my builders and very
needful to Egypt, but most pardcu-
larly to execute vengeance upon them
for the death of my Rameses and for
the firstborn Of Egypt"
aye hear" Kenkenes said to the no
bles. Then he faced Har-hat The fan
bearers countenance showed re-
markable increase Of temper, but there
was no sign Of apprehension or :discom-
future upon it
.Thou hast beheld the grace Of thy
king under. question Kenkenes said
calmly. Therefore thou art denied the
plea that submission to the same thing
VIII beltttle thee. Thy best defense is
patience and prompt answer"
sPerchance the king will recall his
graceful testimony" Har-hat replied
with heat, when he learns he hath
been entangled In the guilty pursuit OF
q miscreant after
Kenkenes stopped him with menac-
ing gesture.
Say It not, nor tempt me further!
Thou speakest Of a quarrel between
thee and me, and Of that there may be
more hereafter. Now thou art to an
swer to mine impeachment Of thee as
an offender against the Pharach-'
Har-hat received the declaration with
\ wrathfui exclamation.
''Thy dearest enemy, o Har-hat, I"
Kenkenes continued, would not i'm
pugn thy wits. Thou seest Egypt Not
In all the world is there another en-
pire SO piteously -humbled. Her fields
are white with bones instead Of bar
vests; her cities are loud with mourn
ing instead Of commerce; the desert
bath overrun the valley. and this from
the hands Of tDe Hebrews God. Who
doubts TT Hath Egy!t Won any honor
In this qaarrel with israel Look upon
Escpt and lea-n E52t; the army Of
lac Pharaoh ava:led hin ausiit against
lhese a.fic1lons. Remember tie poi-
luted waters, the pests, the thunders,
the darkness, the angel Of death, and
tell me. 'vengeance?' Vengeance upon
a God who hath blasted a nation with
his breath? Chastisement Of people
whose murmurs brought down consum-
ing fire upon the land? And yet for
vengeance and chaStisement hast thou
urged the king to follow after Israel.
know thee better, Har-hat. That
serviceabie wit of thine hath not failed
thee In an hour. Thou hast not wea-
ried OF life that thou courtest destruc-
ton by the Hebrews God. Never hast
thou meant to overtake Israel! Never
hast thou thought further to provoke
their COD: Rather was it thine intent
here, somewhere in the desert, thyself
to be a plague upon Meneptah and
wear his crown after him"'
Har-hat folded his arms and forced
the issue
Both the hour and need of my proof
are past. Already art thou convicted.
Kenkenes indicated the king and the
ministers behind him.
Ear-hat was alone. Before him We're
all the powers of the Land arrayed
against him. Behind him in Tanis was
Set, the heir, who hated him. and the
queen who had turned her back upon
him. He had not seen the need OF
friends during the days Of his SUI
premacy over Meneptah- Now not all
his derials, eloQuence, subtleties, could
establish him again in the faith of the
frightened king. His miniStership had
crclnh!ed beyond reconstruction. What
would avail him. then. to defend him
self? What proof had he to offer
against this impeachment? The young
mans argument met him at every ave
nue. toward which he might turn for
escape. At best his future in Egypt
,,1, 10 -,o,o +olora tOT- tho worst