chariots and horses which
were imbedded in the mire, or had sunk between the fagots that further
passage was impossible, and a large body of footmen were now forming a
fresh causeway by the side of the other.

This would soon be completed, for they were now working undisturbed by
opposition, and Jethro saw that as soon as it was done the Egyptian
host would sweep across and fall upon the rear of the Rebu. Jethro ran
up to two mounted men, badly wounded, who had like himself made their
way out of the fight.

"See," he said, "in a quarter of an hour a new causeway will be
completed, and the Egyptians will pour over. In that case resistance
will be impossible, and all will be lost. Do one of you ride to each
flank and tell the captains that the king is dead, that there are none
to give orders here, and that their only chance to save their troops
is to retreat at full speed but keeping good order to the city."

The horsemen rode off immediately, for Jethro, as the king's own
charioteer, was a man of some impatience. After dispatching the
messengers he returned to his chariot and at once drove off. Amuba was
now recovering, and the rough motion of the vehicle as it dashed along
at full speed aroused him.

"What is it, Jethro? What has happened?"

"The battle is lost, prince, and I am conveying you back to the city.
You have had a rough fall and a narrow escape of your life, and can do
no more fighting even if fighting were of any good, which it is not."

"And the king, my father?" Amuba said, struggling to his feet. "What
of him? Did I not see him fall?"

"I know naught of him for certain," Jethro replied. "There was a
terrible fight raging, and as I had you to carry out I could take no
share in it. Besides, I had an arrow through my left arm--if I had
been a moment later it would have gone through your body instead. And
now, if you do not mind taking the reins, I will bandage it up. I have
not had time to think about it yet, but it is bleeding fast, and I
begin to feel faint."

This was indeed true; but Jethro had called Amuba's attention to his
wound principally for the sake of diverting his thoughts for a moment
from his fear for his father. As Amuba drove, he looked back. The
plain behind him was covered with a mass of fugitives.

"I see that all is lost," he said mournfully. "But how is it that we
are not pursued?"

"We shall be pursued before long," Jethro answered. "But I fancy that
few of the Egyptian c