ake us to pieces as soon as he
can."

"You should not try to sit stiff," Jethro said. "Sit quite easily, and
sway backward and forward with the motion of the basket. You will soon
get accustomed to it, and will find that ere long you will be able to
sleep as if in a cradle."

They traveled on until the sun was just sinking, and then prepared to
camp for the night. They had brought with them several skins of water,
and from these a scanty drink was given to each of the horses. A few
handfuls of grain were also served out to each. The drivers stuck
their spears firmly into the ground and to these fastened them. The
camels were made to kneel down so as to form a square. In the center
of this the tent was pitched for the girls, the horses being arranged
in a circle outside.

The men had all brought with them flat cakes, and with these and a
handful of dates they made their meal; and there was no occasion for
lighting a fire, for Jethro's party had brought an ample store of
cooked provisions for their own use. In a short time quiet reigned in
the camp. The journey had been a hot and fatiguing one, and the men
wrapping themselves in their cloaks lay down, each by his spear, and
were soon asleep, with the exception of four who took their posts as
sentries. Jethro had agreed with Amuba and Chebron that they also
would divide the night between them, taking it by turns to keep watch.

The men of the escort were, however, of opinion that there was very
little probability of any attack before morning, even had they been
watched by a party among the hills.

"They could hardly hope to take us by surprise, for they would be sure
that we should set a watch in the darkness. They could not make their
way down the hills without some noise; besides, they believe the
powers of evil are potent at night, and seldom stir out of their camps
after dark. If we are attacked at all, it is likely to be just before
sunrise."

Jethro had therefore arranged that Chebron should keep the first
watch, Amuba the second, and that he himself would take charge four
hours before daylight.

The night passed without any cause for alarm. As soon as daylight
broke the camp was astir. Another ration of water and grain was served
out to the horses, a hasty meal was made by the men, and just as the
sun rose the cavalcade moved on. They had journeyed but half a mile,
when from behind a spur of the hills running out in the plain a large
party was seen to issu