THE JUDGMENT OF THE GODS Three more months had gone by, and the great host of Pharaoh was encamped beyond the Southern Gate, and the warships of Pharaoh were anchored thick on either bank of the Nile.

There they lay prepared for battle, for spies had reported to them that the general, Rames, Lord of Kesh, was advancing northward swiftly, though with so small an army that it could easily be destroyed.

Therefore Abi waited there to destroy it without further toil, nor did his terrible Queen gainsay him.

She also seemed content to wait.
One evening as the sun sank it was told to them that the troops of Rames had appeared, and occupied the mountains on the right bank of the Nile, being encamped around that temple of Amen which had stood there for thousands of years.
"Good," said the Queen.

"To-morrow Pharaoh will go up against him and make an end of this matter.