, who
found the sceptre too heavy for his feeble hand. But he had exercised
caution and, if the elders of the people could but be won over, the
agreement would be inscribed on metal tables, sentence by sentence, and
hung in the temple at Thebes, with the signatures of Pharaoh and the
envoys of the Hebrews, like every other binding agreement between Egypt
and a foreign nation. Such documents--he had learned this from the
treaty of peace concluded with the Cheta--assured and lengthened the
brief "eternity" of national covenants. He had certainly neglected no
precaution to secure his people from treachery and perjury. Never had
he felt more vigorous, more confident, more joyous than when he again
entered Pharaoh's chariot to take leave of his subordinates. Bai's
mysterious hints and suggestions troubled him very little; he was
accustomed to leave future anxieties to be cared for in the future.
But at the camp he encountered a grief which belonged to the present;
surprised, angry, and troubled, he learned that Ephraim had secretly
left the tent, telling no one whither he was going. A hurried
investigation drew out the information that the youth had been seen
on the road to Tanis, and Hosea hastily bade his trusty shield-bearer
search the city for the youth and, if he found him, to order him to
follow his uncle to Succoth.

After the chief had said farewell to his men, he set off, attended only
by his old groom. He was pleased to have the adone--[Corresponding to
the rank of adjutant.]--and subaltern officers who had been with him,
the stern warriors, with whom he had shared everything in war and
peace, in want and privation, show so plainly the pain of parting. Tears
streamed down the bronzed cheeks of many a man who had grown grey in
warfare, as he clasped his hand for the last time. Many a bearded lip
was pressed to the hem of his robe, to his feet, and to the sleek skin
of the noble Libyan steed which, pressing forward with arching neck only
to be curbed by its rider's strength, bore him through the ranks. For
the first time since his mother's death his own eyes grew dim, as
shouts of farewell rang warmly and loudly from the manly breasts of his
soldiers.

Never before had he so deeply realized how firmly he was bound to these
men, and how he loved his noble profession.

Yet the duty he was now fulfilling was also great and glorious, and the
God who had absolved him from his oath and smoothed the way for him
to obey