d. He
glanced at Amuba and Chebron and saw at once that their wishes agreed
with those of Mysa. He turned away abruptly, and for some minutes
paced up and down the garden. Then he returned to the group, among
whom not a word had been exchanged since he left them.

"Mysa," he said gravely, "this is a great thing that you ask; there is
no disguising that your presence will add greatly to our difficulties,
will add also to our perils, and may render it impossible for me to
carry out your father's wishes and to conduct Chebron to a land where
he will be beyond the persecution of Egypt. Such an enterprise must be
undertaken in no light spirit. If you go you must be prepared to face
death in all forms--by hunger and thirst and the weapons of the wild
natives. It may even be that your lot may be that of slavery among
them. It is a terrible journey for men, more terrible still for women;
still, if you are resolved, resolved with the strength and mind of a
woman and not of a child, that after having once turned your back upon
Egypt you will never repent the step you have taken or wish to return,
but will be steadfast under all the trials that may befall us, then I
say that you shall share our lot."

Mysa uttered an exclamation of joy.

"I promise, Jethro; and whatever may happen--hardship, danger, or
death--you shall never hear a word of complaint from me. Are you not
glad, Ruth?"

"I think it well," Ruth said gravely. "It is a great undertaking; but
I think that God's hand is in it. I, too, would fain leave this land
of idols; and except those here I have none in the world to care for."

"And now, Jethro," Amuba said, "what had we best do? It is already
almost dark, therefore we could set out at once. Could we make use of
the chariot?"

Jethro considered for a short time.

"Except for carrying any things we may want for our first start, I do
not see that we can do so," he said; "for where we leave the chariot
to-morrow morning it would be found, and when it is known that Ptylus'
chariot was missing it would soon be recognized as his, and thus a
clue be afforded to the fact that we had fled south. As to traveling
in it beyond to-night, it would be out of the question. Besides, it
will only hold three at the most. No, if we use it at all it must be
to drive north, and so throw them off the scent. I think it will be
worth doing that."

"I will undertake that part of the business," Amuba said. "There will
be much for you