Oh, for
one of mine own best days! Horses!"
"Is the son of Hofa away?" the younger man asked. "He is a runner as
well as a soldier."
The spare man broke out afresh.
"A runner! Aye, of a truth he is a runner. When the tidings came that
the Pharaoh was to pursue the Israelites he ran his best--for the
hay-fields--and is hidden safe under a swath somewhere--the craven!"
Kenkenes stepped into the shed.
"What is this concerning the Israelites?" he demanded.
The spare man turned and the two artisans gazed at the young sculptor
with open mouths.
"The news is not to be cried abroad," the spare man replied shortly.
"Thou hast become cautious too late," Kenkenes retorted. "The most of
thy talk have I heard. I would know the rest of it."
"By Bast, thou art imperious! In my great days the nobles groveled to
me. Now, am I commanded by them. How thou art fallen, Jambres!
"The Israelites, my Lord," he continued mockingly, "departed out of the
land of Goshen, in the early morning hours of this day, but the Pharaoh
hath repented, and will pursue them--to turn them back, or to destroy
them." The old man's voice lost its sarcasm and became anxious.
"But the signs are ominous, the portents are evil.
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