Before he could be taken he fled into Midian, and
the secrets of our order were safe, for a time.
"One by one our fellows have entered Osiris. The young who knew not
have filled their places. Thou and I, only, are left--and the Hebrew!
"He hath returned!
"The gods make strong our hands against him! He went away as a menace,
but he returneth as a pestilence. The demons of Amend are with him,
and his hour is most propitious. He hath sunk himself in the
Israelitish pool here in the north, and he will breathe therefrom such
vapors as may destroy Egypt--faith--state--all!
"The bond-people are already in ferment. There was mutiny at Pa-Ramesu
recently, when three hundred were chosen to work the quarries.
Moreover, the taskmasters are corrupt. The commander, one Atsu by
name, appointed when the chief Merenra became nomarch over Bubastis,
hath disarmed the under-drivers, removed the women from toil and
restored many privileges which are ruinous to law and order. The whole
Delta is in commotion. The nomad tribes near the Goshen country are
agitated; communities of Egyptian shepherds have been won over to the
Hebrew's cause, and now the Israelitish renegade needs but to betray
the secrets to bring such calamity upon Egypt as never befell a nation.
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