ancholy
Milcah, who clung so closely to Miriam. His reserved, laconic
disposition had stood him in good stead, and the arduous forced labor
seemed to have inflicted little injury on his robust frame.

The exultation of victory, the joy of success, had taken full possession
of Ephraim and his youthful band; but when the sun set and there was
still no sign of Hur and his band, Nun and his followers were seized
with anxiety.

Ephraim had already proposed to go with some of his companions in quest
of tidings, when a messenger announced that Hur's men had lost courage
at the sight of the well-fortified Egyptian citadel. Their leader, it
is true, had urged them to the assault, but his band had shrunk from the
peril and, unless Nun and his men brought aid, they would return with
their mission unfulfilled.

It was therefore resolved to go to the assistance of the timorous. With
joyous confidence they marched forward and, during the journey through
the cool night, Ephraim and Nun described to Joshua how they had found
Kasana and how she had died. What she had desired to communicate to the
man she loved was now made known to him, and the warrior listened with
deep emotion and remained silent and thoughtful until they reached
Dophkah, the valley of the turquoise mines, from whose center rose the
fortress which contained the prisoners.

Hur and his men had remained concealed in a side-valley, and after
Joshua had divided the Hebrew force into several bodies and assigned to
each a certain task, he gave at dawn the signal for the assault.

After a brief struggle the little garrison was overpowered and the
fortress taken. The disarmed Egyptians, like their companions at the
copper mines, were sent home. The prisoners were released and the
lepers, whose quarters were in a side-valley beyond the mines--among
them were those who at Joshua's bidding had been brought here--were
allowed to follow the conquerors at a certain distance.

What Hur, Miriam's husband, could not accomplish, Joshua had done, and
ere the young soldiers departed with Ephraim, old Nun assembled them to
offer thanks to the Lord. The men under Hur's command also joined in
the prayer and wherever Joshua appeared Ephraim's companions greeted him
with cheers.

"Hail to our chief!" often rang on the air, as they marched forward:
"Hail to him whom the Most High Himself has chosen for His sword! We
will gladly follow him; for through him God leads us to victory."

H