ishearten the men. I think, mother, that you might do
much if you would; and I am sure that my father in his resting-place
with the gods would far rather see you devoting yourself to the safety
of his people than to lamentations here."

"What would you have me do?"

"I should say, mother, mount a chariot and drive through the streets
of the town; bid the women follow the example of their queen and defer
their lamentation for the fallen until the foe has been repelled. Bid
each do her part in the defense of the city; there is work for
all--stones to be carried to the walls, food to be cooked for the
fighting men, hides to be prepared in readiness to be carried to the
ramparts where the attack is hottest, to shield our soldiers from
arrows. In these and other tasks all can find employment, and, in thus
working for the defense of the town, the women would find distraction
from their sorrows and anxieties."

"Your advice is wise, Amuba, and I will follow it. Order a chariot
to be brought down. My maidens shall come with me; and see that two
trumpeters are in readiness to precede us. This will insure attention
and silence, and my words will be heard as we pass along. How did you
escape from the conflict?"

"The faithful Jethro bore me off, mother, or I, too, should have
fallen; and now, with your permission, I will go to the wall."

"Do so, Amuba, and may the gods preserve you. You must partake of some
food before you go, for you will need all your strength, my son."

Amuba hastily ate the food that was placed before him in another
apartment, and drank a goblet of wine, and then hurried down to the
wall.

The scene was a heart-rending one. All over the plain were scattered
groups of men hurrying toward the city, while among them dashed the
Egyptian chariots, overthrowing and slaying them; but not without
resistance. The Rebu were well disciplined, and, as the chariots
thundered up, little groups gathered together, shield overlapping
shield, and spears projecting, while those within the circle shot
their arrows or whirled stones from their slings. The horses wounded
by the arrows often refused to obey their drivers, but rushed headlong
across the plain; others charged up only to fall pierced with the
spears, while the chariots were often empty of their occupants before
they broke into the phalanx.

Thus, although many fell, many succeeded in gaining the gates of the
town, and the number of men available for the defe