He could have explained, truthfully,
from his own feelings, what it is that enables men to suffer an eager
martyrdom.
Two Hebrews outside the limits of the camp halted him.
"I bring tidings to your captain," he explained. The answer was swept
from the speaker's lips and carried astray by the wind, but he caught
these words.
"Thou art an Egyptian. Thy kind hath no friendship for Israel."
"I am of Egypt, but I am one with you in faith. Conduct me to the
prince, I pray you."
"Take him," said one to the other. "He is but one."
The Hebrew, thus addressed, motioned Kenkenes to follow him, and turned
toward the encampment.
They passed through a lane between two tribes. Kenkenes guessed,
looking first upon one and then the other, that there were one hundred
thousand in the two. Strip a city of her plan and shape, her houses,
her pleasures and commerce; leave only her people, their smallest
possessions, and all their fears; beset such a city with an army on
three sides, the sea on the fourth and a furious hurricane over
all--and in such state and of such appearance were these two tribes.
Kenkenes fortified himself and resisted with all his might the
contagious panic that seemed about to attack him.
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