oked, it contained
valleys where sheep were pastured and where wandering tribes found a
subsistence. No hint had been given to the captain that they had any
intention of cutting short their voyage before arriving at Arsinoe,
for it would have seemed an extraordinary proceeding for a trader
journeying with his family to leave the ship at any of the Arabian
ports. While sailing up the gulf Mysa complained of illness, and
indeed so overpowered was she by the heat that there was but little
fiction in the complaint. Upon arriving at AElana Jethro had her
carried on shore, and, hiring a house there, stayed on shore while
the ship was in port.

There was a small Egyptian garrison in the town, which carried on
a considerable trade with Moab and the country to the east. No
attention, however, was paid to the landing of the traders, for, as
the country beyond the walls of the town lay beyond the limit of
Egyptian rule, the landing and departure of persons at the port was a
matter of no interest to the authorities. Two days later Jethro went
on board again and said that his young son was so ill that there was
no chance of him being able to proceed on the journey, and that
therefore he must forfeit the passage money paid to Arsinoe.

He said that as it might be many weeks before another vessel would
come along, he should endeavor to pay his way by trading with the
natives, and he therefore wished to purchase from him a portion of his
remaining goods suitable for the purpose. As the captain saw that he
would save the provisions for five persons for the month or six weeks
that the voyage would yet last, and at the same time get rid of some
of his surplus cargo, he assented without question to Jethro's
proposal. Several bales of goods were made up, consisting principally
of cloths of various texture and color of Egyptian manufacture,
trinkets, and a selection of arms.

These were landed, and two days later the vessel set sail. Jethro
called upon the Egyptian commandant, and by making him a handsome
present at once enlisted his aid in his enterprise. He said that as he
had been detained by the illness of his son, and it might be a long
time before any vessel came, he thought of getting rid of the rest of
the merchandise he had brought with him by trade with the people of
Moab.

"That you can do if you reach Moab," the Egyptian said, "for traders
are everywhere well received; but the journey from here is not without
dangers. It is