and hurry
them, that they may not linger too far behind the people. Time is
precious! Lord, Lord, my God, extend Thy protecting hand over Thy
people, and roll the waves still farther back with the tempest,
Thy mighty breath! Let every one pray silently while working, the
Omnipresent One, Who sees the heart, will hear it. That load is too
heavy for you, Ephraim, you are lifting beyond your strength. No. The
youth has mastered it. Follow his example, men, and ye of Succoth,
rejoice in your master's strength."

The last words were addressed to Ephraim's shepherds, men and maid
servants, most of whom shouted a greeting to him in the midst of their
work, kissed his arm or hand, and rejoiced at his return. They
were engaged in packing and wrapping their goods, and in gathering,
harnessing, and loading the animals, which could only be kept together
by blows and shouts.

The people from Succoth wished to vie with their young master, those
from Tanis with their lord's grandson, and the other owners of flocks
and lesser men of the tribe of Ephraim, whose tents surrounded that of
their chief Nun, did the same, in order not to be surpassed by others;
yet several hours elapsed ere all the tents, household utensils, and
provisions for man and beast were again in their places on the animals
and in the carts, and the aged, feeble and sick had been laid on litters
or in wagons.

Sometimes the gale bore from the distance to the spot where the
Ephraimites were busily working the sound of Moses' deep voice or the
higher tones of Aaron. But neither they nor the men of the tribe of
Judah heeded the monition; for the latter were ruled by Hur and Naashon,
and beside the former stood his newly-wedded wife Miriam. It was
different with the other tribes and the strangers, to the obstinacy and
cowardice of whose chiefs was due the present critical position of the
people.

CHAPTER XXII.

To break through the center of the Etham line of fortifications and
march toward the north-east along the nearest road leading to Palestine
had proved impossible; but Moses' second plan of leading the people
around the Migdol of the South had also been baffled; for spies had
reported that the garrison of the latter had been greatly strengthened.
Then the multitude had pressed around the man of God, declaring
that they would rather return home with their families and appeal to
Pharaoh's mercy than to let themselves, their wives, and their families
be