CHAPTER XLV
THROUGH THE RED SEA
The voices of the storm found harmonious tones of different pitch and
swelled in glorious accord from the faintest breath of melody to an
almighty blast that stunned the senses with stupendous harmony. Then
the chord seemed to melt and lose itself in the wild dissonances of the
hurricane.
The turmoil of Israel began to subside, growing fainter, ceasing among
the ranks nearest the sea, failing toward the rear, dying away like a
sigh up and down the long encampment. The people that had been on
their knees rose slowly. The bleating of the flocks quieted into
stillness. Commotion ceased and Israel held its breath.
The Lawgiver had passed from among them, and those that followed him
with their eyes saw that he was moving toward the sea, seemingly at the
very limit of the outer radiance and still going on. First to one and
then to another, it became apparent that the extent of the illuminated
beach was widening. Hither and thither over the multitude the
intelligence ran, in whispers or by glances. Having showed his
neighbor each looked again. Ripple-worn sand, shells, barnacle-covered
rocks, slowly came within the pale of the radiance and Moses moved with
it.
Pages:
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684