almost as well as Amuba can; still he
has not so much spirit. I think Amuba always speaks decidedly, while
Chebron hesitates to give an opinion."

"But your brother has a great deal more learning than Amuba, and so
his opinion ought to be worth more, Mysa."

"Oh, yes, if it were about history or science; for anything of that
sort of course it would, Ruth, but not about other things. Of course,
it is natural that they should be different, because Amuba is the son
of a king."

"The son of a king?" Ruth repeated in surprise.

"Yes, I heard it when he first came; only father said it was not to be
mentioned, because if it were known he would be taken away from us and
kept as a royal slave at the palace. But he is really the son of a
king, and as his father is dead he will be king himself when he gets
back to his own country."

"And Jethro is one of the same people, is he not?" Ruth asked.

"Oh, yes! they are both Rebu. I think Jethro was one of the king's
warriors."

"That accounts," Ruth said, "for what has often puzzled me. Jethro is
much the oldest of our party, and altogether the leader, and yet I
have observed that he always speaks to Amuba as if the latter were the
chief."

"I have not noticed that," Mysa said, shaking her head; "but I do
know, now you mention it, that he always asked Amuba's opinion before
giving his own."

"I have constantly noticed it, Mysa, and I wondered that since he and
Amuba were your father's slaves he should always consult Amuba instead
of your brother; but I understand now. That accounts, too, for Amuba
giving his opinion so decidedly. Of course, in his own country, Amuba
was accustomed to have his own way. I am glad of that, for I like
Amuba very much, and it vexed me sometimes to see him settling things
when Jethro is so much older. And you think if he ever gets back to
his own country he will be king?"

"I am not sure," Mysa said doubtfully. "Of course, he ought to be. I
suppose there is some other king now, and he might not like to give up
to Amuba."

"I don't suppose we shall ever get there," Ruth said. "Amuba said the
other day that this country lay a great distance further than the land
my people came from a long time ago."

"But that is not so very far, Ruth. You said that the caravans went in
six or seven days from that part of Egypt where you dwelt to the east
of the Great Sea where your fathers came from."

"But we are a long way from there, Mysa."

"But if it