rd hath sent me as far
as Beth-el."

And Elisha said, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will
not leave thee."

{131}{132}

[Illustration]
THE GREAT ROAD GOING DOWN FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO.

From a photograph taken by Prof. David G. Lyon of Harvard
University, and used by his kind permission.

This road is the shortest from Jericho to Jerusalem, and therefore
the usual pilgrim route in both directions. Pereans and Galileans
came up to the temple by it; it was the path of our Lord and his
disciples, "when he set his face steadfastly toward Jerusalem"; and
from then till now it has been trodden in the opposite direction by
pilgrims from all lands to the scene of his baptism. When taken
upwards a more hot and heavy way it is impossible to
conceive--between blistered limestone rocks, and in front the bare
hills piled high without shadow or verdure. There is no water from
Jericho till you reach the roots of the Mount of Olives.
[End illustration]

{133}

So they went down to Beth-el. And the sons of the prophets who were at
Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, "Knowest thou that
the Lord will take away thy master from thee to-day?"

And he said, "Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace." And Elijah said to
him, "Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to
Jericho."

And he said, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not
leave thee."

So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at
Jericho came near to Elisha, and said to him, "Knowest thou that the
Lord will take away thy master from thee to-day?"

And he answered, "Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace." And Elijah said
unto him, "Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to
Jordan."

And he said, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not
leave thee."

And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went,
and stood over against them afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the
waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two
went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone
over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for thee,
before I be taken from thee."

And Elisha said, "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be
upon me."

And he said, "Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see
me whe