ere attired they
wore chains of gold, with large drops, probably set with pearls; and
their many moon-shaped ornaments and long bright spears glittered in the
sunshine, as they rode proudly along.

By their side, and also mounted on dromedaries, and with long sharp
spears dangling over their shoulders, rode two subordinate sheiks, or
"princes," the dark complexion and jet black hair of the one having
given him the name of Oreb, or the raven, whilst the fierce countenance
of the other had gained for him the title of Zeeb, or the wolf.
Thousands upon thousands of men followed them, with ruthless faces
dreadful to behold.

On and on they went, through the Valley of Jezreel, across the smiling
Plain of Esdraelon, along the banks of the Kishon, and into the fertile
Plain of Akka, which lies round the Bay of Acre, and extends northwards
for some distance along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Their object was not to conquer, only to plunder. But what terrible
ravages they made! Better, far better, if the most dreaded cloud of
locusts that had ever been known had come, and devoured all before them!
A few days, and the destructive insects would have disappeared; but as
for these heartless plunderers, when would their wild depredations
cease?

Before they entered the Plain of Esdraelon, fields of precious corn
nodded in the breeze, and long grasses waved to and fro. Oxen, sheep,
and asses grazed peacefully in rich green pastures; and the busy hum of
populous cities and thriving villages might be heard afar. But as they
went along, they destroyed or seized all that came in their way. The
animals were slaughtered, the corn was reaped, and the green grass was
trampled down by myriads of camels.

The inhabitants of the villages, and even of the walled cities, fled at
their approach, leaving, in their hurry, all their goods behind them,
and their homes, that had been so happy, were ransacked.

Never before had the verdant plains presented so desolate an appearance;
and not an Israelite dared tarry behind to witness the destruction.

The scared Israelites fled to the mountains, there taking refuge in the
holes or caves that were ready for them, or hewing out, in the hard
rock, rough chambers in which to hide.

And still the mighty host went on; and still they were followed by fresh
hordes as mighty and as reckless, till there seemed to be no end of them
and their camels.

Killing, plundering, laying waste, as they pour