Page:The Pharaohs and their people; scenes of old Egyptian life and history (IA pharaohstheirpeo00berkiala).pdf/242

 the rich Egyptian land. No little alarm was excited throughout the country and even in the army itself, for we are told that the king addressed his troops 'with flashing eyes,' and upbraided them with trembling like geese, and not knowing what to do or how to meet the enemy. 'The pillagers,' he said, 'are devastating the country; they have come, following their chief, that they may gain cultivated lands, and fill their mouths with food daily. Fain would they establish themselves in Khemi Behold, I am your shepherd. Who is like me to keep life in his children? Should they be anxious and frightened like birds?' These remonstrances were received in silence. Then the king proceeded to declare that he would not 'await the enemy's approach, so that the land should be wasted by the advance of the foreign peoples. Their king is like a dog; he brags with his mouth, but his courage is naught.' Pharaoh's own heart, however, may not have been quite at ease, in spite of his brave speeches, when he retired to rest that night—but his confidence was revived by a dream. The god Ptah appeared to him, and put a scimitar into