er probably than
any other chain within the boundaries of Egypt. The most easterly
overlooked the sea-beach and was originally, it may be, the old sea
margin. At points the table-land advanced within sight of the water;
at other localities an intervening space of several miles lay between
it and the sea. The summit was flat, at least smooth enough for the
passage of horsemen, and at all times it was a good field for strategic
manoeuverings by an army arrayed against anything which might be on the
beach below.

If Meneptah's scouts had reported truly, Israel had behind it a hill,
east of it the sea. West of it the army would approach. South only
could it flee, into a torrid, arid, uninhabited desert.

The slaves were entrapped. The pursuer had but to follow the pursued
in the only open direction, and overtake the starving, thirsting
multitude at last. But from Har-hat's movement he had meant to
continue along this plateau, out of sight of Israel, until he had
posted part of his army in the way of escape to the south. Kenkenes
reached this conclusion without much pondering. He had his own
manoeuverings in mind. Of the captain of Israel, Prince Mesu, he would
discover, first, if the Lord God had prepared him against Har-hat.
This grave question answered to the repose of his mind concerning the
welfare of Israel, the path of his next duty would be clearly laid for
him. He would join the army and take the life of the fan-bearer, for
the sake of all he loved, and Egypt. In the course of the day's events
his motive had been exalted from the personal desire for revenge to the
high intent of a patriot. He felt most confident that he would forfeit
his own life in the act.

Not an instant did he hesitate.

Ahead of him was the narrow bed of a miniature torrent which rolled out
of the desert during the infrequent rains. Now it was dry, packed
hard, free of all obstructions except the great boulders, and led in a
comparatively straight line toward the sea. It was an ideal stretch
for running.

He summoned all his forces, gathering, in a mighty mental effort, all
that depended on his speed, and took the path with a leap. The dazed
king and his ministers saw him with whom they had that moment talked
stretch a vast and ever-widening breach between them with a bat-like
swoop, and while they watched he was swallowed up in distance.

The bed of the torrent served him for the first few miles. Then it
turned abruptl