"Why ?" "Because two years before you captured me in battle with some of my people, and as I was misshapen, or for pity's sake, spared my life and made me your slave.

Well, I who had been a chief, a very great chief, Master, did not wish to remain a slave and did wish to avenge my people's blood.

Therefore I tried to poison you, and that very day you saved my life, offering for it your own." "I think it was because I wanted the tusks of the elephant, Bes." "Perhaps, Master, only you will remember that this elephant was a young cow and had no tusks worth anything.

Still had it carried tusks, it might have been so, since one white tusk is worth many black dwarfs.
Well, to-day I have paid you back.

I say it lest you should forget that had it not been for me, that lion would have eaten you." "Yes, Bes, you have paid me back and I thank you." "Master, hitherto I always thought you one who worshipped Maat, goddess of Truth.