command of Moses.  Keep strictly to the old order.  We head the procession, then come the other tribes, lastly the strangers and leprous men and women.  Rejoice, oh, ye people; for our God is working a great miracle and making the sea dry land for us, His chosen people.  Let everyone thank Him while working, and pray from the depths of the heart that He will continue to protect us.  Let all who do not desire to be slain by the sword and crushed by the weight of Pharaoh’s chariots put forth their best strength and forget rest!  That will await us as soon as we have escaped the present peril.  Down with the tent-cover yonder; I’ll roll it up myself.  Lay hold, boy!  Look across at the children of Manasseh, they are already packing and loading.  That’s right, Ephraim, you know how to use your hands!

“What more have we to do!  My head, my forgetful old head!  So much has come upon me at once!  You have nimble feet, Raphu;—­I undertook to warn the strangers to prepare for a speedy departure.  Run quickly 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.