Since Ephraim’s flight a new and more cruel spirit had taken possession of the warders.  While yesterday they had permitted the unfortunate men to move forward at an easy pace, they now forced them to the utmost possible speed.  Besides, the atmosphere was sultry, and the scorching sun struggled with the thunderclouds gathering in heavy masses at the north.

Joshua’s frame, inured to fatigues of every kind, resisted the tortures of this hurried march; but his weaker companion, who had grown grey in a scribe’s duties, often gave way and at last lay prostrate beside him.

The captain was obliged to have the hapless man placed on an ass and chain another prisoner to Joshua.  He was his former yoke-mate’s brother, an inspector of the king’s stables, a stalwart Egyptian, condemned to the mines solely on account of the unfortunate circumstance of being the nearest blood relative of a state criminal.

It was easier to walk with this vigorous companion, and Joshua listened with deep sympathy and tried to comfort him when, in a low voice, he made him the confidant of his yearning, and lamented the heaviness of heart with which he had left wife and child in want and suffering.  Two sons had died of the pestilence, and it sorely oppressed his soul that he had been unable to provide for their burial—­now his darlings would be lost to him in the other world also and forever.

At the second halt the troubled father became franker still.  An ardent thirst for vengeance filled his soul, and he attributed the same feeling to his stern-eyed companion, whom he saw had plunged into misfortune from a high station in life.  The ex-inspector of the stables had a sister-in-law, who was one of Pharaoh’s concubines, and through her and his wife, her sister, he had learned that a conspiracy was brewing against the king in the House of the Separated.—­[Harem].  He even knew whom the women desired to place in Menephtah’s place.

As Joshua looked at him, half questioning, half doubting, his companion whispered.  “Siptah, the king’s nephew, and his noble mother, are at the head of the plot.  When I am once more free, I will remember you, for my sister-in-law certainly will not forget me.”  Then he asked what was taking his companion to the mines, and Joshua frankly told his name.  But when the Egyptian learned that he was fettered to a Hebrew, he tore wildly at his chain and cursed his fate.  His rage, however, soon subsided in the presence of the strange composure with which his companion in misfortune bore the rudest insults, and Joshua was glad to have the other beset him less frequently with complaints and questions.

He now walked on for hours undisturbed, free to yield to his longing to collect his thoughts, analyze the new and lofty emotions which had ruled his soul during the past few days, and accommodate himself to his novel and terrible position.

This quiet reflection and self-examination relieved him and, during the following night, he was invigorated by a deep, refreshing sleep.