OUR YOUTHS' DEPARTMENT

Evening Star, Issue 8279, 26 July 1890, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR YOUTHS' DEPARTMENT

JOSHUA. A STORY OF EGYPTIAN-ISRAE LITIS H LIFE.

Bt Gkurqk Ebeks Author of ‘ Uarda,’ ‘ An Egyptian Princess,’ etc.

(Now first published.) CHAPTER XXIV. The prisoneta were making their way but •lowly to the mines. Never in all his experience had the leader of the gang known a worse journey through tho desert, more luckless in every way, or so besot with mishaps and hindrances. One of his “ moles ” —Ephraim, to wit—bad made his escape ; he had lost one of his faithful hounds ; and after his gang had been terrified and drenched by such a storm as scarcely befell once in five years in all that thirsty tract, another overtook them on tho following day—the same in which Pharaoh and his hosts bad perished—even more violent and persistant than the first. The tempest had stopped their march, and after this second deluge some of his prisoners and men had sickened with fever from sleeping on the wet ground in open air. Even the Egyptian asses, unaccustomed to the rain, had suffered wetting, and the best had been left to die on the way. At last they had been compelled to bury two of their comrades in the sand, and three more were so ill that they must be mounted on tho asses that were loft. Thus the prisoners were forced to carry tho provisions with which the beasts had been laden. In all his twenty-five years’ experience such a thing had never before happened to their guide, and he looked forward to severe reproof at homo. All this had a bad effect on the man’s temper, though ho was commonly regarded as the most lenient of his tribe, and Joshua, as tho accomplice of the audacious rascal whoso escape was tho beginning of these vexations, was the chief victim of his wrath. Angry an ho was, tho leader of tho gang might perhaps have dealt more mercifully with him if he had bewailed his lot like tho man next behind him, or cursed as loudly as his companion in chains, who spent his breath in threats of a time coming when his sister-in-law would bo in attendance on Pharaoh, and she would find some way to punish the man who had ill-treatod her dear sister’s husband.

But Joshua had made up his mind to take all the rough driver and his men could do to him with as calm submission as the scorching sun which had tortured him many a time ere this during his marches across the desert, under arms ; and hia manly spirit and strong will helped him to keep his resolution. When the driver loaded him with a monstrous burthen, ho collected all the strength of his powerful muscles and tottered forward under it without a rebellious word till his kuees gave way ; and then his tyrant would lly at him, snatch a few bales from off hia shoulders, and declare he knew all the wickedness of his heart, and that all be hoped for was that he might have to be left on the way and so bring his driver into further trouble ; but he would not let his prisoners cheat him of their liver when hands were needed in (ho mines.

Once (ho man inflicted a deep wound ; but be was immediately most anxiously careful that it should he healed ; gave him wine to strengthen him, and delayed tho caravan for half a day that he might rest. He had. nni forgotten Prince Siptah’s promise of a sp'endid reward to the man who should bring him nows of his prisoner’s death ; but ho was an honest man, and it was this very promise which prompted him to watch with special care over Joshua’s life ; for the consciousness of having neglected his duty for any personal profit would have spoiled his appetite for meat, drink, and sleep, the three blessings he most prized. Hence, though the Hebrew had much to suffer, it was not beyond endurance ; and it was a real pleasure to be able to lighten the woes of hia weaker comrades by exerting his own great strength. He had resigned his fate to the God who had called him to serve him ; b -t his service he knew war. something more than mere pious trust; and day ami night his mind was sot on flight. But the fetters which linked him to his fellow-victim were so firmly riveted, and. ho carefully examined and hammered eight and morning, that any attempt to escape must have ended in tho more cruel misery.

The prisoners were conducted first across a hilly country, and then towards a long range of mountains lying in front of them, till they reached a desert tract where weather-worn boulders of sandstone stood up at interva's from tho rocky ground. On the fifth evening the gang stopped to rest by a lofty mountain which Nature seemed to have piled up out of flat layers of stone ; and at sunrise on the sixth morning they turned olf down a valley leading to the mines.

They had overtaken no one since, on the first day, they had come up with a messenger from the King’s treasury. They had, on tho other hand, met several small caravans, conveying malachite, turquoises, and copper to Egypt, as well as the green glass manufactured in the neighborhood of the mines.

Among a party whom they met at the opening of the gorge into which they diverged on this last day were a married couple on their way homeward, having been pardoned by the King. The driver pointed to them, to raise the spirits of his exhausted “moles”; but the sight of them had quite an opposite effect, for the man’s unkempt hair was already grey, though he was hardly past thirty, his tall figure bent and haggard, and his hare back striped with many soars and clotted blood, while his wife, who had shared his fate, had gone blind. She sat huddled on an asa in the brooding melancholy of mania ; and although the prison gang, as they marched pant, loudly broke tho silence of the desert, and her hearing waa as sharp as over, she paid no heed to them, but stared unmoved into vacancy. , The sight of these hapless wretches held up his own hideous fate as clearly as a mirror before Joshua’s eyes ; for the first time ho groaned aloud, and clasped his hands over his face. This the driver noticed, and touched by the horror of a man whose powers of endurance had till now seemed indomitable, he cried to him : “ But they do not nil return like this ; no, indeed, not like this !”

“ Because! they are even more utterly wretched,” ho thought to himself; “ but that poor fellow need not know that. Next time I come this way I will remember to ask for Joshua, for I shall bo curious to know what will become of such a bull of a man, The strongest and most determined often are the quickest to perish,” At this he flourished his whip over the heads of his gang ns if ho were driving a team of horses, without touching them, however. Then ho pointed to a cloud of smoke rising from behind a wall of rock on the right hand, and said ; “There are the smelting furnaces! We shall be in by midday. There is no lack of fires here to cook our lentils, and a bit of sheep’s flesh into the bargain; for we are keeping the kind god’s birthday, the Son of Ra. Long may he live I Hail and good health to him ! ” For half an hour longer they toiled along the dry bed of a torrent, with high banks on each side ; after the storm a roaring mountain stream had rushed down this gully to the lower ground, and even now a few pools were exhaling their moisture. When the melancholy train had made their way round a steep shelter of rock, on the top of which stood a small Egyptian temple to Hathor and a considerable number of gravestones, they found themselves close to a bend in the ravine which led to the gorge where the mines lay. Flags were waving from tall masts in front of the temple, in honor of Pharaoh’s birthday ; and when presently a noise came up from the valley, usually so silent, of shouts, and tumult, and clatter, the driver expressed his opinion that the high festival was being kept by the prisoners with unwonted jollity, saying so to the other guards who had paused to listen. So they moved forward without delay ; but no man held up his drooping head, for the noon day sun was so relentlessly pruel, and the sides of the ravine, dazzling

with the glare, poured down such fierce heat that it seemed as though they were striving to outdo the smelting furnaces. Though so near their journey’s end the wanderers tottered forward as if in sleep, and one alone held his breath with excitement. As a war horse harnessed to a plough arches his neck, and dilates his nostrils, while the fire sparkles In his eye, so had Joshua drawn up his stooping form in spite of the heavy sack across his shoulders, and his flashing gaze turned to the spot whence the uproar camo, which the driver supposed to be loud revelry. But he, Joshua, knew better. He could never mistake the sounds which ho heard. It was the battle-cry of Egyptian troops, the trumpet call to summon them to arras, the clatter of weapons and shouting of hostile parties. _ Ready at once for swift action, he addressed his comrade in chains and whispered his commands : “The hour of release is at hand. Keep your cy<:s open, but follow mo blindly.” At this the other, too, was greatly excited, and no sooner had Joshua looked down the ravine than ho said ; “ Now. Be ready !” The first glance into the little gorge had revealed to him a figure standing on the top of a cliff, and a coble head framed in white hair. It was his father. Ho would have known him among ten thousand, and from a much greater distance. But he looked away from that beloved face for a moment to glauce at the driver of the gang, who stood still, startled and speechless ; and then, thinking that a mutiny had broken out among the State prisoners, with quick presence of mind he cried in harsh accents to his subordinates ;

“ Get behind our prisoners aud kill anyone who attempts to escape.” But hardly had tho men done his bidding and gone to tho rear, when Joshua whispered to his companion : “ Now, down with him !” With these words tha Hebrew, who, with his fellow-captive, was at the head of the file, rushed on the driver, and Joshua had seized his right arm and the other man his left before he was aware of it. He was a stalwart fellow, and rage doubled his strength. Ho struggled wildly to free himself, but Joshua and his comrade held him in a grip of iron. Qua glance had been enough to show tho captive warrior which way he must go to reach his people. It would have to pass a small force of Egyptian bowmen, who were shooting their arrows at the Hebrews on tho opposite side of the ravine ; but the enemy would not daro to turn on them, for the sturdy form of the slave-driver served to screen them both, and he was easily recognisable by his dress and weapons. “ Hold up the chain with one hand,” said Joshua to his accomplice. “ I can hold our living shield. Wo must get up the shoulder of the hill crab fashion.”

His companion obeyed, and when they came within arrow-shot length of the foe they held their prisoner first on one side, and then, wa-Iking backwards, between themselves and the Egyptians, Thus Joshua, shouting in ringing tones : “The son of Nun is returning to his father and hia people 1 ” made his way, step by step, toward the Hebrew fighting men. None of the Egyptians who recognised the captain of the prison gang had dared to let fly a shaft at the escaped prisoners ; and now, from the top of the slope which the fettered couple were climbing backwards, Joshuah'arclhisnameoallcd in joyfu; accents, and at the same moment Ephraim and his company of youthful combatants came flying down the hill to meet him. To his astonishment the warrior saw in the bauds of every son of his people a largo shield as of an Egyptian foot noldier, a sword or a battle-axe. But many still worn at their girdles the herdsman’s sling and bag of pebbles. Ephraim was their loader, and before he greeted his uncle he ranged his men in two rants like a doable avail between Joshuaand tlio enemy’s archers. Not till then did he give utterance to the joy of meeting ; and another glad greeting followed his, for old Nun was safely led to the wall of rock under cover of those large Egyptian shields which the sea had cast on shore ; and then, under shelter of the did, strong hands filed off the fetters which bound Joshua and his comrade, while Ephraim, aided by a few others, bound the driver captive. The unfortunate officer had given up all resistance and let them do what they would, passively resigned, Before they tied his hands behind the back he only begged to be allowed to wipe his eyes, for tho tears were coursing each other down the stern man’s cheeks and cm to his grey beard—tears of vexation at finding himself outwitted and overpowered and unable to fulfil his duty. The old Hebrew slasped his redeemed and only son to his heart with passionate affection. Tneu, releasing him from his embrace, he stepped back a few paces, and would never have tired of feasting his eyes on Joshua, and of hearing that, faithful to his God, ho would henceforth devote himself to the service of his people. But it was not for long that they might allow themselves to revel iu tho joy of this happy meeting : the battle was still to be won, and Nan, as a matter of course, transferred his command to Joshua.

With thankful gladness, and yet not without a pang of regret, Joshua heard of the end which had overtaken tho fine army among whoso captains he had long been proud to reckon himself ; and he rejoiced to learn that another company of armed shepherds had gone under the leadership of Hur, Miriam’s husband, to surprise the turquoise mines at Dophka, at about an hoar’s march farther to the south. If they were victorious they were to rejoin the young men under Ephraim before sundown. These ardent spirits were burning to fall upon the Egyptians once more ; Joshua, who was prudent, and who had reconnoitred the foe, had, indeed, no doubt that they would succumb to the fierce herdsmen who far outnumbered them. But he was anxious to avoid bloodshed in this fight which was being waged for his sake, so ho desired Ephraim to cut him a plumy leaf from the nearest palmtree, borrowed a shield, and went forward alone to speak with the enemy, waving his symbol of peace. The chief body of the Egyptians were guarding tho entrance to the mines, and, recognising tho token which invited a parley, they desired their captain to meet Joshua. This officer was nothing loth to grant tho Hebrew an interview, but he would first make himself acquainted with the contents of a letter which had just been delivered to him, and which must contain evil tidings, for that much coaid he gathered from the messenger’s demeanor, and from a few broken, but ominous words which ho had murmured to his fellow Egyptians. While somo of Pharaoh’s soldiers fetched refreshment for the exhausted and travelstained runner, listening with horror to the tidings he panted out in hoarse accents, the officer read tho letter. His brow darkened, and when he had ended he clutched the papyrus fiercely in his hand, for it announced nothing less than the destruction ef the army, the death of Pharaoh Menephtah, and, moreover, that his eldest surviving son had been proclaimed and crowned as Seti the second ; an attempt on the part of Prince Siptah to possess himself of the throne having completely failed, this prince had fled to the marsh-lands of the Delta, and the Syrian Aarsu, after deserting him and ranging himself on the side of the new King, had been raised to the command of the whole army of mercenaries. Baie, the high priest and Supreme Judge, had been deprived of his offices by Seti 11., and banished from court. Those who had conspired with Siptah were condemned, not to copper mines, but to the gold mines of Ethiopia. It was also reported that several women attached to the family of the fugitive usurper had been strangled, certainly his mother. Every fighting-man who could be spared from the mines was to return forthwith to Tanis, as there was need of men for the newly-constituted legions. These tidings produced a great effect; for, after Joshua had communicated to the Egyptian captain the fact that he, too, knew of the destruction of the Egyptian host, and expected fresh reinforcements in a few hours, who had, meanwhile, been sent to reduce Dophka, the Egyptian surrendered to his imperious tone, and only sought favorable terms and leave to depart. He knew only too well h;.- - v ' -a was the force in charge of the tuiqv.i. e mines, and he could look for no succor from headquarters. Besides this, tho person of the envoy captivated his confidence, so, after many excuses and

threats, he confessed himself satisfied with Joshua’s permission to withdraw the garrison unharmed, with their beasts of burden and provisions for the journey. This, to be sure, was not to be granted till they had laid down their arms and shown the Hebrews every entrance to the mines where prisoners were working. The young Hebrews proceeded forthwith to disarm the Egyptians, who were more than twice their number, and many a veteran’s eye was moist, while many a one broke his spear or nicked his arrows, cursing and swearing the while ; and some of the other men who had formerly served under Joshua, and now recognised him, raised their fists and railed at him for a traitor. It was always the refuse of the troops which was sent on service in this wilderness. Most of the men were stamped with traces of evil living, and their faces were hard and cruel. On the banks of the Nile those were carefully chosen who made ruthless brutality to the helpless their duty. At last the mines were opened, and Joshua himself seized the miner’s lamp and made his way Into the sweltering galleries where the State prisoners, naked and loaded with fetters, were hewing out the copper ore. From a distance he could hear the swallow-tailed picks hacking at a bard rock. Then the miserable wailing of men and women in torment fell on his ear, for barbarous drivers pursued them into these depths, and goaded the idlers to bestir themselves.

This morning, as being Pharaoh’s birthday, they had all been driven to tho temple of Hathor, up on the cliff, to pray for the King who bad cast them into this uttermost wretchedness ; and they would have enjoyed a respite from labor till morning if it bad not been for the unexpected arrival of the chief overseer, which had compelled them to return underground. Indeed, even the women were all employed in digging ; though, as a rule, their tasks consisted only in crushing and sifting the ore which was used in the manufacture of glass and of dye stuffs. When the victims heard Joshua’s footsteps echoing from the bare rods wall, they feared lest some new torment should be coming upon them, and their cries of lamentation were heard on all aides. But the deliverer had soon reached the first of tho toilers, and the glad tidings—that he had come to put an end to their wretched lot—were soon repeated to the furthermost depths of the caverns. Wild shouts of joy filled tho galleries long used to wailing and tears; but loud cries for help, gasping, groaning, and a death-rattle also fell on Joshua’s ear, for one hot-headed victim had turned on the driver of his gang and killed him with a blow of his pick. His example fired the vengeance of the others, and before they could be stopped the rest of tho overseers had met the same fate. Not without defending themselves, however, and many a prisoner lay dead by the corpse cf his tormentors.

In obedience to Joshua’s call, the liberated throng at length made their way out to tho light of day. Wild and harsh, indeed, were their shouts, mingled with the clatter of the chains thoy dragged behind them. And the most hard-hearted among tho Hebrews, when they saw this troop of despairing wretches in the broad sunshine, shrank from the sight. Many of these hapless creatures had, in former times, enjoyed every earthly blessing in their own homes, or in the King’s palace ; had been loving fathers and mothers ; had rejoiced in their power for good and had had their part iu all tho fruits which culture could bestow on a gifted people. And now their weak and bloodshot eyes, though they glittered at first with the tears brought into them by the sudden change from the night of the caverns to the glare of the midday sun, presently flashed with a wild and greedy gleam like those of starring owls. In their first bewilderment and consternation at the amazing change in their fortunes they tremulously struggled for composure, and suffered the Hebrews, at Joshua’s bidding, to file off the fetters from their ankles ; but they soon caught sight of the disarmed soldiers and overseers, who were ranged under a wall of rock under the eye of Ephraim and hia followers, and a strange impulse came over them. With a yell and a shriek for which there is no name, and which no words could describe, they tore themselves away from the men who were trying to remove their chains, and without a word or a sign of mutual agreement, rushed with a common instinct, heedless of their metal bonds, on the helpless wretches. Before the Hebrews could stay them each fell on the one who had treated him most cruelly ; and here a famished creature grappled the foe who had been his master by the throat, while there a band of women, stripped of all clothing and horribly disfigured by want and neglect, flew at the man who had most brutally insulted, beaten, and injured them, and wreaked their long-repressed fury with tooth and nail. It was as though a sudden flood of hatred had broken down the dam and was ravening unchecked for its prey.

There was a frantic attack and defence, a fearful and bloody struggle on the shifting red sandy soil, an ear-splitting chorus of shrieks, wailing, and yells ; indeed, it was hard to distinguish anything in the revolting medley of men and women, which became more and more inextricably tangled as it was aggravated on one side by the wildest passions and a desire of revenge which was sheer bloodthirstiness, and on the other by tho dread of death and strenuous instinct of self-defence.

Only a few of the prisoners had held back, and even they shrieked encouragement to tho rest, reviled the enemy with excited vehemence, and shook their fists. The rage with which the released victims now fell on their tormentors was os unmeasured os the cruelty under which they had suffered. It was Joshua who had disarmed the tyrants ; they were therefore under his protection, He ordered his men to separate the combatants, and if possible without bloodshed ; this was no easy matter, and many a fresh deed of horror was inevitable. At last it was done, and now St could be seen how strangely passion had lent strength to the most exhausted and wretched, for, though no weapons had been used in the struggle, not a few corpses lay on tho arena, and most of the guards and overseers were bleeding from ugly wounds. When peace once more reigned, Joshua demanded of the captain of the little garrison a list of the pri<oners in the mines ; bnt he himself was wounded, and pointed to the clerk of the works who had not been laid hands on. He who had been their leech in case of need, and had always treated them kindly, was a man of some age who had known sorrow himself, and knowing what suffering means, had always been ready to alleviate it in others.

He very willingly read out the names of the captives, among whom were several Hebrews, and after each had answered to the oall, most of them expressed themselves ready to go with the departing tribes. When at length the disarmed soldiers and guards set forth on their homeward way the driver who bad brought Joshna and his fellow-prisoners to the mines went up to old Nun and his son with a crestfallen air, and begged to be allowed to remain with them ; for no good could be in store for him at home, and in all Egypt there was no god so mighty as their God. He had not failed to observe that Joshua, who had himself once been the captain of thousands, had ever in the greatest straits uplifted his hands to that God, and such fortitude as the Hebrew had shown he had never before seen. Now, indeed, he saw and knew that that mighty God had overwhelmed Pharaoh and his host in the sea in order to save His people. Suoh a God was after his own heart, and be desired nothing better henceforth than to abide with those who served him. Joshua gladly consented to his joining himself to them, and it waa found that there were fifteen Hebrew prisoners, among them, to Ephraim’s great joy, Reuben, the husband of Miriam’s devoted and heartbroken ally, Milcah. His reserved and taciturn manner had stood him in good stead, and the hardships he had endured seemed to have had little effect on bis strong frame. A triumphant sense of victory and the joy of snocess had come over Ephraim and his youthful army; but when the sun had set, and no sign yet appeared of Hur and his followers, Nun began to feel some alarm. Ephraim had jnst declared his intention of sallying forth with some of his comrades in search of tidings, whan a msnmger arrived

announcing that Hnr’a fighting men had lost courage on beholding the efficient defence of the Egyptian stronghold. Their leader had vainly urged them to storm it; they had shrunk from the venture, and if Nun could not go to their support they must retire inglorioualy. It was at onco determined to succor the timorous troop. The Hebrews set forth in high spirits, and on their march through the refreshing night Ephraim and Nun related to Joshnabow H asana had beenfonnd and had died. All she Lad desired them to tell the man she loved they now made known to him, and it was with deep emotion that the soldier heard it all, marching on in silent thought till they reached Dopbka, the ▼alley of the turquoise mines, in the midst of which towered the fortress, surrounded by the huts of the captive miners, Hnr and his men remained in ambush in an adjoining valley, and when Joahna had told off all the Hebrew force into the several divisions, assigning a task to each, at daybreak ho gave the signal for the onslaught. The little garrison was overpowered after a short struggle, and the fortress seized. The Egyptians were disarmed, as those at the copper mines had been, and sent homewards. The prisoners were released, and the lepers, whose encampment was in another ▼alley beyond the mines—and among them those who had been sent hither by Joshua’s desire—were permitted to follow the conquerors at a fixed distance. Joshua had succeeded where Hur had failed, and before the younger men had departed with Ephraim, their leader, old Nun, called them together, and with them returned thanks to the Lord. Those likewise who were under Hur’s command joined in the thanksgiving, and when Joshua presently appeared Ephraim and his comrade hailed him with loud acclamations. “ Hail to our captain !” was shouted again and again as they went on their farther way. “ Hail to him whom tho Lord hath chosen to be His sword ! Him will wo follow and obey ; through him our God shall give us the victory !_’ Hur’s followers also joined in tho cry, nor did he forbid them ; nay, he had thanked Joshua for storming the stronghold, and expressed his gladness at seeing him free once more. When they set forth Joshua, as the younger, drew back to let the elder mon take the lead; but Uur had begged Nun, who was much older than himself, to march at the head of the little host, although, after the escape of the people on the shore of the Red yea, he had been named the chief captain of the Hebrew fighting men by Moats ami the elders of the tribe. Their way led them first through a level ▼alloy. Then they mounted and crossed a pass over the ridge, this being the only road by which there was any communication between tho mines and the Red Sea. The rocky scene was wild and desolate ; tho path steep and hard to climb. Joshua’s aged father, who had spent his life in the plains of Goshen, and was unaccustomed to mountain walking, was carried by his son and grandson amid much glad shouting from tho others; and Miriam’s husband, who led his men in the rear of Ephraim’s troop of comrades, as he heard their joyful cry, climbed after them with a bowed bond and eyes fixed gloomily on the ground. At tho top they were to rest, waiting for the main body of the Israelites, who were to be led through tho desert of Sin toward Dophka. From tho top of the pass the victorious troop looked out for the wandering tribes, but as yet nothing could bo seen of them. But as they gazed back on the mountain path by which they had come, the scene was so grand and beautiful that it attracted every eye. At thair feet lay a canldroashapod valley enclosed by high precipices, ravines, peaks, and here white like chalk, there raven-black, grey and brown, red and green, growing as it were from tho eandy base and pointing to the deep-blue heaven, tho vault of dazzling light that bent over tho desert unflecked by u cloud.

All was barren, desolate, silent, dead. Not a blade, not the humblest growth clung to the sides of the many-colorcd cliffs which shut in tho sandy abyss. No bird, no worm, nor beetle even stirred in this still region hostile to life, Tho eye could nowhere see anything to suggest human existence, or the tilth and handiwork of man. God, it seemed, had created this grand scene, unfit for any earthly being, for Himself alone. The man who made his way into these wilds trod a spot which the Most High might have chosen for retreat and rest, like the silent and unapproachable inner sanctuary of the temple. The younger men had gazed speechless on the wondrous picture at their feet. Then they lay down on the ground, or did their beat to be serviceable to old Nun, who loved the companionship of the young. He was soon reclining in their midst under a hastily contrived awning, and relating with sparkling eyes his son a achievements as captain of the Egyptians. Joshua and Hur meanwhile were standing together on the highest point of the pass, and gazing down into the desolate valley of rocks, which, surrounded by columns and pillars of God’s own hewing, and vaulted over by the blue dome of Heaven, appeared to eaeh as the most stupendous of temples. Tho elder kept hia eyes fixed gloomily on the ground; but suddenly he broke the silence, saying : “It was at Sucooth that I built an heap and cried upon the Lord to be witness between us two. But in this place, and in this stillness, it seems to me that we are certain of Hia presence without sign or token.” He raised his face to Heaven and went on : “ And I lift up mine eyes to Thee, Adonai; I send np my humble words to Thee, 0 Jehovah, Thou God of Abraham and our fathers, that Thou mayest again be witness between me and this man whom Thou calledst to be Thy servant and the sword in Thy right hand 1” He spoke the words loudly, with eyes and bands upraised to Heaven. Then he turned to his companion and said with solemn gravity : “ And I ask thee, Joshua, son of Nun, dost thou remember the witness borne by thee and me by the stone at Snccoth ?”

“I do remember it,” was tho answer. “ And in the bitter ill-fortune and great dangers I have learnt wbat the Most High requires of me. I am ready to devote such strength of soul and body as he hath vouchsafed to me to Him alone, and to His people, which is my people. Joshua, henceforth, be my name. I ask no further help, neither from the Egyptians nor from any other strange folk, for it was the Lord our God who gave me this name by the mouth of thy wife."

Hereupon Hur broke in with earnest words;

“ This is what I looked to hear; and inasmuch as in this place also the Most High is a witness between mo and thee, and hearest our present speech together here, lo ! I fulfil that which I have vowed. The elders of the tribes, and Moses, the servant of the Lord, called me to be chief captain over the fighting men of Israel. But now thou art Joshua, and hast sworn to serve none other but the Lord our God. Likewise I know that, a? the captain of our host, thou canst do greater things than I, who have grown grey tending herds, or than any Hebrew, be he who ha may ; therefore do I perform my vow made at Succoth. I will require of Moses, the servant of the Lord, and of the elders of the people, that they give thee the office of captain of the host. I leave the governance in thy bands ; and inasmuch as 1 know that the Lord readeth the heart, I hereby confess that I had evil thoughts of thee in mine. But for the good of the people I will forget all strife between us, and 1 give thee my right hand in token thereof.” He held out his hand as he spoke, and Joshua grasped it, replying with generous frankness: “ These are the words of a man, and so likewise shall mine be. For the people’s sake, and the cause we both serve, I accept the offered sacrifice. And, inasmuch as you solemnly call the Lord to witness, who likewise heareth me, I will speak the truth in everything. The office of captain of the host of Israel which you will lay upon me I was called to by the Lord himself. The call came to me by the month of Miriam, 'yonr wife, and mine it Is by right. Yet that yon should be willing to yield yonr own dignity to me, I take as a noble deed, for I know full well how hard it is for a man to resign power, more especially in favor of a younger man who is not dear to his heart. This you have clone, and I thank you. Apd

1, too, have bad evil thoughts of you, for through yon 1 lost another blessing which a man finds harder to give up than his office—the love of a woman.” Hereupon the blood mounted to Hur’s face, and he exclaimed : “ Miriam 1 I hevor forced her to marry me. Nay, without my paying for her even, after the manner of our fathers, she became my wife of her own free will,” “1 know it,” replied Joshua, calmly. “ Still, another than you bad loved and wooed her longer and more fervently, and the fires of jealousy burn fiercely. But have no fears. If you wero now to get a bill of divorce and bring her to me, that I should open my arms and tent to her, I should say : ‘ Wherefore have you done this thing to yourself and to me ? ’ For I have just now learnt what the love of a woman is and can do, and I was mistaken when 1 believed that she loved me as hotly as I loved her. Yes, and in the course of my wanderings, with fetters on my feet, in grief and misery, 1 vowed to myself that I would devote all that is in me of the fire and force of love to no single creature, but all to my people. Not even the love of woman shall ever turn me away from tho great duty I have taken upon me. And as for your wife, 1 am as a stranger to her unless it be that she sends for me, as a prophetess, to declare to me some new purpose of the Lord.” And he, on his part, held out his band ; and as Hur took it, a noise came up from the troop below, calling on the head of the house of Judah and their newly-chosen captain, for the messengers were climbing the mountain slope, waving and pointing to the mighty clouds of dust which swept in front of the coming multitude. (To be continued.)