the thought that it might henceforward be his
destiny to command such a wretched rabble seemed to him ignominy which
the lowest of his brave officers, the leader of but fifty men, would seek
to avoid. True, Pharaoh's armies contained many a Hebrew mercenary who
had won renown for bravery and endurance; but these men were the sons of
owners of herds or people who had once been shepherds. The toiling
slaves, whose clay huts could be upset by a kick, formed the majority of
those to whom he was required to return.

Resolute in his purpose to remain loyal to the oath which bound him to
the Egyptian standard, yet moved to the very depths of his heart, he
entered the slave's little hut, and his anger rose when he saw old Eliab
sitting up, mixing some wine and water with his own hands. So he had been
summoned from his nephew's sick-bed, and robbed of his night's rest, on a
false pretence, in order that a slave, in his eyes scarcely entitled to
rank as a man, might have his way. Here he himself experienced a specimen
of the selfish craft of which the Egyptians accused his people, and which
certainly did not attract him, Hosea, to them. But the anger of the just,
keen sighted-man quickly subsided at the sight of the girl's unfeigned
joy in her grandfather's speedy recovery. Besides he soon learned from
the old man's aged wife that, shortly after Hogla's departure, she
remembered the wine they had, and as soon as he swallowed the first
draught her husband, whom she had believed had one foot in the grave,
grew better and better. Now he was mixing some more of God's gift to
strengthen himself occasionally by a sip.

Here Eliab interrupted her to say that they owed this and many more
valuable things to the goodness of Nun, Hosea's father, who had given
them, besides their little hut, wine, meal for bread, a milch cow, and
also an ass, so that he could often ride out into the fresh air. He had
likewise left them their granddaughter and some pieces of silver, so that
they could look forward without fear to the end of their days, especially
as they had behind the house a bit of ground, where Hogla meant to raise
radishes, onions, and leeks for their own table. But the best gift of all
was the written document making them and the girl free forever. Ay, Nun
was a true master and father to his people, and the blessing of Jehovah
had followed his gifts; for soon after the departure of the Hebrews, he
and his wife had been brought hither un