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CHAPTER IX.
The Eighteenth Dynasty—continued. (Circa 1600-1400 B.C.)
Of the reign of Thothmes IV. there is very
little record left excepting the curious story of
his own youth, which was written on a tablet
suspended by his order upon the breast of the
Sphinx at Ghizeh—to the following effect:—'Thothmes
had been practising spear-throwing
in the neighbourhood of Memphis, where he
also slung brazen bolts at a target and hunted
lions in the "valley of the gazelles."[1] The
prince rode in his two-horsed chariot, and his
horses were swifter than the wind. With him
were two of his servants. No man knew them.
The hour came when he gave his servants rest.
Thothmes went alone to the little sanctuary
between the outstretched paws of the great
- ↑ This valley lay west of the pyramids in the Libyan desert, and was a favourite resort of sportsmen for hunting lions and other wild animals.
