ircumstances have
placed in an inferior position, for after all circumstances are
everything. This youth, in his own country, held a position even
higher than you do here, for he was the son of the king; and, since
his father fell in battle, would now be the king of his people had
they not been subjected to us. Therefore, Chebron, bear it always in
mind that although misfortune has placed him a captive among us, he is
in birth your superior, and treat him as you yourself would wish to be
treated did you fall a captive into the hands of a hostile nation."

"I will gladly treat you as my friend," the young Egyptian said
frankly to Amuba. "Although you are so different from me in race, I
can see in your face that you are true and loyal. Besides," he added,
"I am sure that my father would not have bade me so trust you had he
not read your character and been certain that you will be a fit friend
for me."

"You and your father are both good," Amuba replied. "I know how hard
is the lot of captives taken in war, for we Rebu had many slaves whom
we took in various expeditions, and I was prepared to suffer. You can
judge, then, how grateful I feel to our gods that they have placed me
in hands so different from those I had looked for, and I swear to you,
Chebron, that you shall find me faithful and devoted to you. So, too,
will you find my friend here, who in any difficulty would be far more
able to render you service than I could. He was one of our bravest
warriors. He drove my chariot in the great battle we fought with your
people, and saved my life several times; and should you need the
service of a strong and brave man, Jethro will be able to aid you."

"And have you been in battle?" Chebron asked in surprise.

"That was the first time I had ever fought with men," Amuba said; "but
I had often hunted the lion, and he is almost as terrible an enemy as
your soldiers. I was young to go to battle, but my father naturally
wished me to take my place early among the fighting men of our
nation."

"By the way, Chebron," Ameres said, "I would warn you, mention to no
one the rank that Amuba held in his own country. Were it known he
might be taken away from us to serve in the palace. His people who
were taken captives with him said nothing as to his rank, fearing that
ill might befall him were it known, and it was therefore supposed that
he was of the same rank as the other captives, who were all men of
noble birth among the Rebu. Th