having himself given instructions to each group as they started as to
their behavior and entry into the city, and the rendezvous at which
they were to assemble. He also arranged that if at any time they
should hear his call upon the horn, which was to be repeated by three
or four of his followers, who were provided with similar instruments,
they were to hurry to the spot at the top of their speed.

"One can never tell," he said, when he told Amuba the orders he had
given, "what may happen. I believe that every man here is devoted to
you, but there may always be one traitor in a crowd; but even without
that, some careless speech on the part of one of them, a quarrel with
one of the king's men or with an Egyptian, and the number of armed men
in the city might be discovered, for others would run up to help their
comrade, and the broil would grow until all were involved. Other
reasons might render it advisable to strike at an earlier hour than I
arranged."

"I cannot think so," Amuba replied. "I should say if anything were to
precipitate affairs it would be most prejudicial. You, with your small
force, would be certain to be overwhelmed by the large body of
followers whom, as we have learned, the king keeps in his palace, to
say nothing of the Egyptians. In that case not only would you lose
your lives, but you would put them so thoroughly upon their guard that
our enterprise at night would have little chance of success."

"That is true," Jethro said; "and I certainly do not mean to make the
slightest variation from the plan we agreed upon unless I am driven to
it. Still it is as well to be prepared for everything."

"Of course I know that you will do nothing that is rash, Jethro. After
being all these years my guide and counselor, I know that you would do
nothing to endanger our success now that it seems almost assured."

Jethro had in fact a reason for wishing to be able to collect his men
suddenly which he had not mentioned to Amuba. He thought it possible
that, as he had said, at the last moment the plot might by some means
or other be discovered. And his idea was that if that were the case he
would instantly gather his followers and attack the palace, trusting
to surprise and to his knowledge of the building in the endeavor to
fight his way to the king's abode and slay him there, even if he
himself and his men were afterward surrounded and cut to pieces. The
usurper once removed, Jethro had no doubt that the whole