s, bearers, drivers, and shepherds exerted all their
strength to advance faster; and though the wind, which blew more and
more from the east, impeded their progress, all struggled stoutly
against it, and dread of their approaching pursuers doubled their
strength.

The youth seemed to the heads of the tribes, who nodded approval
wherever he appeared, like a shepherd dog guarding and urging the flock;
and when he had slipped through the moving bands and battled his way
forward against the storm, the east wind bore to his ears as if in
reward a strange shout; for the nearer he came to its source, the louder
it rang, and the more surely he perceived that it was a cry of joy and
exultation, the first that had burst from a Hebrew's breast for many a
long day.

It refreshed Ephraim like a cool drink after long thirsting, and he
could not refrain from shouting aloud and crying joyously to the others:
"Saved, saved!" Two tribes had already reached the eastern shore of the
bay and were raising the glad shouts which, with the fires blazing in
huge pans on the shore, kindled the courage of the approaching fugitives
and braced their failing strength. Ephraim saw by their light the
majestic figure of Moses on a hill by the sea, extending his staff
over the waters, and the spectacle impressed him, like all the other
fugitives, from the highest to the lowest, more deeply than aught else
and strongly increased the courage of his heart. This man was indeed
the trusted servant of the Most High, and so long as he held his staff
uplifted, the waves seemed spell-bound, and through him God forbade
their return.

He, Ephraim, need no longer appeal to the Omnipotent One--that was the
appointed task of this great and exalted personage; but he must continue
to fulfil his little duty of watching the progress of individuals.

Back against the stream of fugitives to the lepers and torch-bearers he
hastened, shouting to each division, "Saved! Saved! They have gained the
goal. Moses' staff is staying the waves. Many have already reached
the shore. Thank the Lord! Forward, that you, too, may join in the
rejoicing! Fix your eyes on the two red beacons! The rescued ones
lighted them! The servant of the Lord is standing between them with
uplifted staff."

Then, kneeling on the wet sand, he again pressed his ear to the ground,
and now heard distinctly, close at hand, the rattle of wheels and the
swift beat of horses' hoofs.

But while still listeni