own with the tent-cover yonder; I'll
roll it up myself. Lay hold, boy! Look across at the children of
Manasseh, they are already packing and loading. That's right, Ephraim,
you know how to use your hands!

"What more have we to do! My head, my forgetful old head! So much has
come upon me at once! You have nimble feet, Raphu;--I undertook to warn
the strangers to prepare for a speedy departure. Run quickly and hurry
them, that they may not linger too far behind the people. Time is
precious! Lord, Lord, my God, extend Thy protecting hand over Thy people,
and roll the waves still farther back with the tempest, Thy mighty
breath! Let every one pray silently while working, the Omnipresent One,
Who sees the heart, will hear it. That load is too heavy for you,
Ephraim, you are lifting beyond your strength. No. The youth has mastered
it. Follow his example, men, and ye of Succoth, rejoice in your master's
strength."

The last words were addressed to Ephraim's shepherds, men and maid
servants, most of whom shouted a greeting to him in the midst of their
work, kissed his arm or hand, and rejoiced at his return. They were
engaged in packing and wrapping their goods, and in gathering,
harnessing, and loading the animals, which could only be kept together by
blows and shouts.

The people from Succoth wished to vie with their young master, those from
Tanis with their lord's grandson, and the other owners of flocks and
lesser men of the tribe of Ephraim, whose tents surrounded that of their
chief Nun, did the same, in order not to be surpassed by others; yet
several hours elapsed ere all the tents, household utensils, and
provisions for man and beast were again in their places on the animals
and in the carts, and the aged, feeble and sick had been laid on litters
or in wagons.

Sometimes the gale bore from the distance to the spot where the
Ephraimites were busily working the sound of Moses' deep voice or the
higher tones of Aaron. But neither they nor the men of the tribe of Judah
heeded the monition; for the latter were ruled by Hur and Naashon, and
beside the former stood his newly-wedded wife Miriam. It was different
with the other tribes and the strangers, to the obstinacy and cowardice
of whose chiefs was due the present critical position of the people.

CHAPTER XXII.

To break through the center of the Etham line of fortifications and march
toward the north-east along the nearest road leading to Palestine had
prov