en
and lepers--for many of the latter had accompanied them and rested
outside the camp--in short, all for whose support Pharaoh had provided,
saw themselves safe for a long time from care and privation. Yet there
was no lack of malcontents, and here and there, though no one knew who
instigated the question, loud discussion arose whether it would not
be more advisable to return to Pharaoh and rely on his favor. Whoever
raised it, did the work secretly, and was often compelled to submit to
sharp, threatening retorts.

Miriam had talked with her brothers and shared the heavy anxieties
that oppressed them. Why had the desert wind so speedily destroyed the
courage of the people during their brief pilgrimage? How impatient, how
weak in faith, how rebellious they had showed themselves at the first
obstacle they had encountered, how uncontrollable they had been in
following their fierce impulses. When summoned to prayer just before
sunrise during their journey, some had turned toward the day-star rising
in the east, others had taken out a small idol they had brought with
them, and others still had uplifted their eyes to the Nile acacia, which
in some provinces of Egypt was regarded as a sacred tree. What did they
know of the God who had commanded them to cast so much behind them and
take upon themselves such heavy burdens? Even now many were despairing,
though they had confronted no serious dangers; for Moses had intended
to lead the Hebrews in Succoth over the road to Philistia direct to the
Promised Land in Palestine, but the conduct of the people forced him to
resign this plan and form another.

To reach the great highway connecting Asia and Africa it was necessary
to cross the isthmus, which rather divided than united the two
continents; for it was most thoroughly guarded from intruders and,
partly by natural, partly by artificial obstacles, barred the path of
every fugitive; a series of deep lakes rolled their waves upon its
soil, and where these did not stay the march of the travelers strong
fortifications, garrisoned by trained Egyptian troops, rose before them.

This chain of forts was called Chetam--or in the Hebrew tongue--Etham,
and wayfarers leaving Succoth would reach the nearest and strongest of
these forts in a few hours.

When the tribes, full of enthusiasm for their God, and ready for the
most arduous enterprises, shook off their chains and, exulting in their
new liberty, rushed forward to the Promised Land