r the long deferred rain was at hand, although no
sign of its approach was in sight.

Attended only by his servant, Elijah then went to the top of
Mount Carmel, and crouched upon the ground in the position of
meditation commonly assumed in Eastern countries. He sent his
servant to a spot which commanded a view of the Mediterranean
Sea, bade him look around, and bring him word of what he saw.

Six times the servant returned with the word that he saw
nothing. The seventh time his report was that he could see a
little cloud, not larger than a man's hand, coming out of the
sea. Sending the man to warn Ahab that the rain was fast
approaching, and that he must start at once for home, Elijah
then hastened down the mountain to meet the king at its foot.

[Image: A LITTLE CLOUD COMING OUT OF THE SEA.]

With all the speed he could command, Ahab barely reached his
palace at Jezreel in time to escape the fury of the storm.
Elijah ran before the royal chariot the entire distance of
sixteen miles, but he did not enter the palace.

Thus far the triumph was with Elijah. The people were
convinced, the priests of Baal were dead, the king was
awe-struck. But Jezebel was relentless in her hatred of the
prophet. So furious was she when Ahab told her what had been
done that day, that she sent a message to Elijah, telling him
that before another day had passed she would have his life.
Prophet though he was, Elijah quailed before the threat of the
idolatrous queen, and fled for his life.

Leaving his servant at Beer-sheba, Elijah went a day's journey
into the wilderness, threw himself down under a solitary bush,
and in a fit of despair, prayed that he might die. Worn out
with excitement and fatigue, he fell asleep, but woke to find
food and water beside him, and an angel who told him to
refresh himself with the provisions God had sent him.

[Image: ELIJAH WOKE TO FIND AN ANGEL BESIDE HIM.]

Twice Elijah ate and drank of the miraculous food, and then in
its strength traveled forty days and forty nights until he
came to Mount Horeb, the place where Moses received the divine
command to rescue the Israelites from Pharaoh.

Elijah found shelter in a cave, and there he heard the voice
of God, asking, _"What doest thou here, Elijah?"_ The answer
of the prophet was one of bitterness and depression, but his
complaints were cut short by a command to come out of the
cave, and behold the wonderful works of God. Drawing his
mantle about him,