ed to the brook in the valley, up to
the first terrace of the mountain, that he might gaze around him far and
near for a view of the enemy.

The steep pathway led past masses of red granite, intersected by veins
of greenish diorite, until he reached a level plateau high above the
oasis, where, beside a clear spring, green bushes and delicate mountain
flowers adorned the barren wilderness.

Here he intended to rest and, as he gazed around him, he perceived in
the shadow of an overhanging cliff a man's tall figure.

It was Moses.

The flight of his thoughts had rapt him so far away from the present and
his surroundings, that he did not perceive Joshua's approach, and the
latter was restrained by respectful awe from approaching the man of God.

He waited patiently till the latter raised his bearded face and greeted
him with friendly dignity.

Then they gazed together at the oasis and the desolate stony valleys of
the mountain region at their feet. The emerald waters of a small portion
of the Red Sea, which washed the western slope of the mountain, also
glittered beneath them.

Meanwhile they talked of the people and the greatness and omnipotence
of the God who had so wonderfully guided them, and as they looked
northward, they beheld the endlessly long stream of Hebrews, which,
following the curves of the rocky valley, was surging slowly toward the
oasis.

Then Joshua opened his heart to the man of God and told him the
questions he had asked himself during the past sleepless night, and to
which he had found no answer. The latter listened quietly, and in deep,
faltering tones answered in broken sentences:

"The lawlessness in the camp--ay, it is ruining the people! But the Lord
placed the power to destroy it in our hands. Woe betide him who resists.
They must feel this power, which is as sublime as yonder mountain, as
immovable as its solid rock."

Then Moses' wrathful words ceased.

After both had gazed silently into vacancy a long time, Joshua broke the
silence by asking:

"And what is the name of this power?"

Loudly and firmly from the bearded lips of the man of God rang the
words; "THE LAW!"

He pointed with his staff to the summit of the mountain.

Then, waving his hand to his companion, he left him. Joshua completed
his search for the foe and saw on the yellow sands of the valley dark
figures moving to and fro.

They were the remnants of the defeated Amalekite bands seeking new
abodes.

He watc