r you may be, I have been taught to speak the truth, so I will
tell you that I have another relative in Tanis, Hosea, the son of Nun, a
chief in Pharaoh's army, for whom I have a message."

"And I will tell you," the priest replied, "that it was for the sake of
this very Hosea I tarried here and ordered my servants to bring you out
of the ruined house. I owe him a debt of gratitude, and though most of
your nation have committed deeds worthy of the harshest punishment, for
the sake of his worth you shall remain among us free and unharmed."

The boy raised his eyes to the priest with a proud, fiery glance, but
ere he could find words, Bai went on with encouraging kindness.

"I believe I can read in your face, my lad, that you have come to seek
admittance to Pharaoh's army under your uncle Hosea. Your figure is
well-suited to the trade of war, and you surely are not wanting in
courage."

A smile of flattered vanity rested on Ephraim's lips, and toying with
the broad gold bracelet on his arm, perhaps unconsciously, he replied
with eagerness:

"Ay, my lord, I have often proved my courage in the hunting field; but
at home we have plenty of sheep and cattle, which even now I call my
own, and it seems to me a more enviable lot to wander freely and rule
the shepherds than to obey the commands of others."

"Aha!" said the priest. "Perhaps Hosea may instil different and better
views. To rule--a lofty ambition for youth. The misfortune is that we
who have attained it are but servants whose burdens grow heavier with
the increasing number of those who obey us. You understand me, Hornecht,
and you, my lad, will comprehend my meaning later, when you become the
palm-tree the promise of your youth foretells. But we are losing time.
Who sent you to Hosea?"

The youth cast down his eyes irresolutely, but when the prophet broke
the silence with the query: "And what has become of the frankness you
were taught?" he responded promptly and resolutely:

"I came for the sake of a woman whom you know not."

"A woman?" the prophet repeated, casting an enquiring glance at
Hornecht. "When a bold warrior and a fair woman seek each other, the
Hathors--[The Egyptian goddesses of love, who are frequently represented
with cords in their hands,]--are apt to appear and use the binding
cords; but it does not befit a servant of the divinity to witness such
goings on, so I forbear farther questioning. Take charge of the lad,
captain, and aid him to d