is arms. There was a
sharp ringing sound close to Jethro, and stooping he picked up an
arrow which had fallen close to him.

"It is an enemy!" he shouted. "Draw up close to the breastwork and
prepare to receive them. Scatter the fires at once and extinguish the
blazing brands. They can see us, while themselves invisible."

As he spoke a loud and terrible yell rose from the hillside and a
shower of arrows was poured into the encampment. Several men fell, but
Jethro's orders were carried out and the fires promptly extinguished.

"Stoop down behind the breastwork," Jethro shouted, "until they are
near enough for you to take aim. Have your spears ready to check their
onslaught when they charge."

Although Jethro held no position entitling him to command, his orders
were as promptly obeyed as if he had been in authority. The men
recognized at once, by the calmness of his tones, that he was
accustomed to warfare, and readily yielded to him obedience. In a
minute or two a crowd of figures could be seen approaching, and the
Egyptians, leaping to their feet, poured in a volley of arrows. The
yells and screams which broke forth testified to the execution wrought
in the ranks of the enemy, but without a check they still rushed
forward. The Egyptians discharged their arrows as fast as they could
during the few moments left them, and then, as the natives rushed at
the breastwork, they threw down their bows, and, grasping the spears,
maces, swords, axes, or staves with which they were armed, boldly met
the foe.

For a few minutes the contest was doubtful, but encouraged by the
shouts of Jethro, whose voice could be heard above the yells of the
natives, the Egyptians defended their position with vigor and courage.
As fast as the natives climbed over the low breastwork of merchandise
they were either speared or cut down, and after ten minutes' fierce
fighting their attack ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and as if by
magic a dead silence succeeded the din of battle.

"You have done well comrades," Jethro said, "and defeated our
assailants; but we had best stand to arms for awhile, for they may
return. I do not think they will, for they have found us stronger and
better prepared for them than they had expected. Still, as we do not
know their ways, it were best to remain on our guard."

An hour later, as nothing had been heard of the enemy, the fires were
relighted and the wounded attended to. Sixteen men had been shot dead
b