5. Are there any Pharaohs to-day? Any Moseses?

FOOTNOTES:

[1] See Chapter I, and Genesis 46 and 47.

[2] Exodus I. 1-11, or Pa-Tum in Egyptian; the other Rameses, after
the king himself. It was decided to compel the Hebrews to do the work
of brickmaking for these new cities.

CHAPTER V

A GREAT DELIVERANCE

Egypt has never been a health resort. The intensely hot summers breed
germs of disease, and also the insects which often carry them.
Throughout its history the country has been ravaged periodically by
fearful epidemics. A series of these pestilences predicted by Moses
and declared to be Jehovah's punishment for the enslavement of the
Israelites, made it possible for him to lead his people out of
slavery. So severe were the plagues that the government was for a time
disorganized. Taking advantage of their opportunity, the Hebrews
suddenly gathered up their possessions and set out toward the desert,
driving their sheep and goats before them. In spite of the large
figures given in some passages of Exodus, other statements indicate
that they were not very numerous, a few thousand at most, and they
doubtless hoped to slip out past the border fortresses, at night,
unnoticed. As they approached the border, however, news came that they
were being pursued by a troop of horsemen. This meant, of course, that
a watch would be made for them at the fortresses also. They were
caught in a trap, and turned in despair upon Moses, who could only
once more assure them that Jehovah was leading them, and would somehow
open the way.

THE STRONG EAST WIND AND ITS RESULT

That night they encamped on the western shore of one of the shallow
bays or lakes at the head of the Red Sea. To the east was the water.
North of the lake the wall and the line of fortresses began. Behind
them they could already see where their pursuers were camping for the
night. In the morning--terror, death, and return to slavery!

=A path through the sea.=--During the night, however, someone came in
from the shore of the lake with the astonishing news that it was going
dry. A strong east wind was blowing, with an effect often observed by
modern travelers, namely, that the comparatively shallow waters were
being driven back into the deeper part of the sea. Instantly the word
of command was given. With the women and children first and the flocks
next, they picked their way through the mud and sand and rocks on the
lake bottom, clear across to the