must contain evil
tidings. This was evident from the messenger's looks and the few words
which, though broken, were pregnant with meaning, that he had whispered
to his countryman.

While some of Pharaoh's warriors offered refreshments to the exhausted,
dust-covered runner, and listened with every token of horror to the
tidings he hoarsely gasped, the commander of the troops read the letter.

His features darkened and, when he had finished, he clenched the papyrus
fiercely; for it had announced tidings no less momentous than the
destruction of the army, the death of Pharaoh Menephtah, and the
coronation of his oldest surviving son as Seti II., after the attempt
of Prince Siptah to seize the throne had been frustrated. The latter
had fled to the marshy region of the Delta, and Aarsu, the Syrian, after
abandoning him and supporting the new king, had been raised to the chief
command of all the mercenaries. Bai, the high-priest and chief-judge,
had been deprived of his rank and banished by Seti II. Siptah's
confederates had been taken to the Ethiopian gold mines instead of to
the copper mines. It was also stated that many women belonging to the
House of the Separated had been strangled; and Siptah's mother had
undoubtedly met the same fate. Every soldier who could be spared from
the mines was to set off at once for Tanis, where veterans were needed
for the new legions.

This news exerted a powerful influence; for after Joshua had told the
commander that he was aware of the destruction of the Egyptian army and
expected reinforcements which had been sent to capture Dophkah to
arrive within a few hours, the Egyptian changed his imperious tone and
endeavored merely to obtain favorable conditions for retreat. He was but
too well aware of the weakness of the garrison of the turquoise mines
and knew that he could expect no aid from home. Besides, the mediator
inspired him with confidence; therefore, after many evasions and
threats, he expressed himself satisfied with the assurance that the
garrison, accompanied by the beasts of burden and necessary provisions,
should be allowed to depart unharmed. This, however, was not to be done
until after they had laid down their arms and showed the Hebrews all the
galleries where the prisoners were at work.

The young Hebrews, who twice outnumbered the Egyptians, at once set
about disarming them; and many an old warrior's eyes grew dim, many a
man broke his lance or snapped his arrows amid