Page:The Pharaohs and their people; scenes of old Egyptian life and history (IA pharaohstheirpeo00berkiala).pdf/133

 the story; 'his divine father Amen-Ra was before him, and Horus-Hormakhu was at his side.'

In a few days the camp was pitched opposite Megiddo. 'Keep yourselves ready,' said the king, 'look to your arms, for we shall meet the enemy in battle early to-morrow morning.' And they set the watch, saying, 'Be of good courage; watch, watch—watch over the life in the king's tent.' Next morning the assault was made, but the Canaanites were unable to make a stand against the disciplined valour of the Egyptian troops; they fled at the first onset 'with terror on their faces.' The dead 'lay on the ground like fishes,' and the fugitives in their haste left behind them their horses and their chariots of gold and silver, and 'were drawn up by their clothes as by ropes into the fortress.' The king's own tent was captured on the field, amidst shouts of joy and of thanks to Amen-Ra. Megiddo itself was taken, and the victor entrenched himself there to await the submission and the tribute of the confederated princes. Then the chiefs of the land came to do homage to the king, and, though the civilisation of the Canaanitish tribes may not have been high, yet