o divide the waters of the sea once
again and make a passage for them. Belief in the God of ancestors is
strong. He appealed also to his ancestors themselves and entreated
them to come to his assistance, for are we not one with them and strong
in the same faith? But the sea lay in calm repose and divided not.
Six horsemen came riding over the sand, shouting for joy at the thought
of their reward, when they saw those they had so long pursued standing
by the water, unable to proceed farther. Quickly they approached the
shore, and were about to let fly the stones from their slings against
the couple who had the little King of the Jews with them, when they saw
the fugitives descend the wave-dashed cliffs and go out upon the
surface of the sea. The man led the ass on which sat the woman with
the child, and just as they passed over the sand of the desert, with
even steps, they passed over the waters of the sea.

Their pursuers rode after them in blind rage, urged their horses into
the sea, and were the first to reach--not Egypt, but the other world.

CHAPTER VI

The family of the poor carpenter from Nazareth stood on the soil of
ancient Egypt. How had they crossed the sea? Joseph thought in a
fishing boat, but it had all happened as in a dream. He opened his
eyes, and sought the mountains of Nazareth, and saw the dark grove of
palm-trees with their bare trunks and sword-shaped leaves, and he saw
the gate flanked by enormous stone figures which, lying on their
bellies, stretched out two paws in front of them and lifted huge human
heads high in the air. He saw the triangular form of the pyramids rise
against the yellow background. Strange odours filled the air, as well
as shrill noises made by fantastic figures, and every sound struck hard
and sharp on the ear. Joseph's heart was heavy. His home was
abandoned, and they were in a strange land in which they must certainly
be lost.

Mary, who was always outwardly calm, but inwardly bound up passionately
in the child, looked at Joseph's stick, and said: "Joseph, it is a nice
thought of yours to deck your staff with a flower in token of our safe
arrival." Then Joseph looked at his stick and marvelled. For from the
branch which he had cut at Sinai there sprouted a living, snow-white
lily. Oh, Joseph, 'tis the flower of purity! But what was the use of
all the flowers in the world when he was so full of care? He lifted
the child in his arms, and when he looke