emy conquered, the camp
would be lost, and the aids the art of war afforded must be used within
the smallest conceivable space.

To make a circuit round the foe or attack him unexpectedly in the flank
seemed impossible; but the rocks themselves were made to serve Joshua;
for he had commanded his skilful slingers and trained archers to climb
the precipices to a moderate height and wait for the signal when they
were to mingle in the battle.

At the first glance Joshua perceived that he had not overestimated the
foe; for those who began the fray were bearded men with bronzed, keen,
manly features, whose black eyes blazed with the zest of battle and
fierce hatred of the enemy.

Like their grey-haired, scarred leader, all were slenderly formed
and lithe of limb. They swung, like trained warriors, the brazen
sickle-shaped sword, the curved shield of heavy wood, or the lance
decked below its point with a bunch of camel's hair. The war-cry rang
loud, fierce, and defiant, from the steadfast breasts of these sons of
the desert, who must either conquer or lose their dearest possession.

The first assault was met by Joshua at the head of men, whom he had
armed with the heavy shields and lances of the Egyptians; incited by
their brave leader they resisted a long time--while the narrow entrance
to the battle field prevented the savage foe from using his full
strength.

But when the foe on foot retreated, and a band of warriors mounted on
swift dromedaries dashed upon the Hebrews many were terrified by the
strange aspect of the huge unwieldy beasts, known to them only by
report.

With loud outcries they flung down their shields and fled. Wherever a
gap appeared in the ranks the rider of a dromedary urged it in, striking
downward with his long keen weapon at the foe. The shepherds, unused
to such assaults, thought only of securing their own safety, and many
turned to fly; for sudden terror seized them as they beheld the flaming
eyes or heard the shrill, fierce shriek of one of the infuriated
Amalekite women, who had entered the battle to fire the courage of their
husbands and terrify the foe. Clinging with the left hand to leather
thongs that hung from the saddles, they allowed themselves to be dragged
along by the hump-backed beasts wherever they were guided. Hatred seemed
to have steeled the weak women's hearts against the fear of death, pity,
and feminine dread; and the furious yells of these Megaerae destroyed
the courage o