"Haggard, H Rider- Morning Star" - читать интересную книгу автора (Haggard H. Rider)

indeed prophesy pleasant things to you, why, it can be done easily
enough. Moreover, it seems to me that this horoscope of yours is not
so evil, seeing that it gives to you over twenty years of life and
power, more by far than most men can expect--at your age. If after
that come troubles and the end, what of it?"

"That is so," replied Abi mollified. "It was my ill-temper, everything
has gone cross to-day. Well, a gold cup, my own, shall pay the price
of it. Bear me no ill-will, I pray you, learned scribe, and above all
tell me no falsehood as the message of the stars you serve. It is the
truth I seek, the truth. If only she may be seen, and clasped, I care
not how ill-favoured is her face."

Rejoicing at the turn which things had taken, and especially at the
promise of the priceless cup which he had long coveted, Kaku bowed
obsequiously. He picked up his crumpled roll and was about to retire
when through the gloom of the falling night, some men mounted upon
asses were seen riding over the mud flats that border the Nile at this
spot, towards that bank where the ship was moored.

"The captain of my guard," said Abi, who saw the starlight gleam upon
a bronze helmet, "who brings me Pharaoh's answer. Nay, go not, bide
and hear it, Kaku, and give us your counsel on it, your true counsel."

So the astrologer stood aside and waited, till presently the captain
appeared saluting.

"What says Pharaoh, my brother?" asked the Prince.

"Lord, he says that he will receive you, though as he did not send for
you, he thinks that you can scarcely come upon any necessary errand,
as he has heard long ago of your victory over the desert-dwelling
barbarians, and does not want the offering of the salted heads of
their officers which you bring to him."

"Good," said Abi contemptuously. "The divine Pharaoh was ever a woman
in such matters, as in others. Let him be thankful that he has
generals who know how to make war and to cut off the heads of his
enemies in defence of the kingdom. We will wait upon him to-morrow."

"Lord," added the captain, "that is not all Pharaoh's message. He says
that it has been reported to him that you are accompanied by a guard
of three hundred soldiers. These soldiers he refuses to allow within
the gates. He directs that you shall appear before his Majesty
attended by five persons only."

"Indeed," answered Abi with a scornful laugh. "Does Pharaoh fear,
then, lest I should capture him and his armies and the great city with
three hundred soldiers?"