ectly behind the vanguard,
for Pharaoh and his dignitaries wished to find the tents pitched and the
tables laid, when the day's march was over and the soldiers and officers
expected a night's repose.

Joshua had not finished speaking when a number of empty carts and unladen
asses appeared. They were to carry the contributions of bread and meal,
animals and poultry, wine and beer, levied on every village the sovereign
passed on the march, and which had been delivered to the tax-gatherers
the day before.

Soon after a division of chariot warriors followed. Every pair of horses
drew a small, two-wheeled chariot, cased in bronze, and in each stood a
warrior and the driver of the team. Huge quivers were fastened to the
front of the chariots, and the soldiers leaned on their lances or on
gigantic bows. Shirts covered with brazen scales, or padded coats of mail
with gay overmantle, a helmet, and the front of the chariot protected the
warrior from the missiles of the foe. This troop, which Joshua said was
the van, went by at a slow trot and was followed by a great number of
carts and wagons, drawn by horses, mules, or oxen, as well as whole
troops of heavily-laden asses.

The uncle now pointed out to his nephew the long masts, poles, and heavy
rolls of costly stuffs intended for the royal tent, and borne by numerous
beasts of burden, as well as the asses and carts with the kitchen
utensils and field forges. Among the baggage heaped on the asses, which
were followed by nimble drivers, rode the physicians, tailors,
salve-makers, cooks, weavers of garlands, attendants, and slaves
belonging to the camp. Their departure had been so recent that they were
still fresh and inclined to jest, and whoever caught sight of the
convicts, flung them, in the Egyptian fashion, a caustic quip which many
sought to palliate by the gift of alms. Others, who said nothing, also
sent by the ass-drivers fruit and trifling gifts; for those who were free
to-day might share the fate of these hapless men to-morrow. The captain
permitted it, and when a passing slave, whom Joshua had sold for
thieving, shouted the name of Hosea, pointing to him with a malicious
gesture, the rough but kind-hearted officer offered his insulted prisoner
a sip of wine from his own flask.

Ephraim, who had walked from Succoth to Tanis with a staff in his hand,
and a small bundle containing bread, dried lamb, radishes, and dates,
expressed his amazement at the countless people