Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29
CHAPTER XxVn

4
A hard battle must be fought, for, as the
spies reported, the Amalekites had been
Joined by other desert-tribess Nevertheless,
the Isrselites were still almost twice theil
number; but how far inferior in warlike
skill were Joshna's troops 10 their oppon-
ents, Injured to battle and ambush. The foe
came mp from the south, from the oasis at
the foot of the Sacred Mountain which was
the primeVal home of their race, their foster
mother, their beloved, their all, and to
them well worth shedding the last drop for.
Joshua, now the captain, recognized BY
Moses and all the people as leader of the
Hebrew fghting-men, led his newly-formed
army to the widest portion Of the valley.
as this allowed him to take the utmost
advantage Of their superior numbers.
The camp was removed by his orders,
and pitched in q narrower place at the
northern end Of the valley of Rephidim, in
which the struggle must be fought out, as
this made it easier to defend the tents. He
left the command Of the camp and of the
men told off to protect it to the prudent care
of his father.
He had wished to leave Moses and all the
elders of the tribes safe within the precincts
Of the camp, but their great leader had gone
forward with Hur and Aaron, and climbed
a peak OF granite where they could look
down upon the fight. Thus the fighting
men could see Moses and his two compan-
ions on the cliff which commanded the top
OF the valley. and feel assured that the
servant of the Lord would not cease
- -.
give them the victory. But eyerv
simple man in that host, and every
woman and old man in the camp, in that
hour Of peril turned to the God Of their
fathers and the rallying cry chosen by
Joshua, Jehovah, our Refuge" bound the
hearts of the warriors to the ruler of the
battle, and reminded the most faint-hearted
and unskilled among the fghting-nen that
be could not take step nor deal . blow,
but the Lord would mark it.
The trumpets and eow-horns Of the He
brew host rang out louder and louder, for
the Amalekites were pouring deWn on the
level ground which was to be the field Of
battle.
1t was strange scene for such struggle,
such as no experienced captain would ever
willingly have chosen, for ii was shut in on
both sides by steep gray cliffs Of granite
towering up to heaven. If the foe should
win, the camp, too, must be lost, and any
benefit to be derived from knowledge of war
fare must here be displayed within the
smallest conceivable space. To circumvent
the enemy or surprise him in flank seemed
quite impossible; but even the rocks were
turned to account by the leader, for wherever
it was possible he had made his best sling
ers and archers climb up them to no great
height, and instructed them to watch for o
sign at which they should mingle in the
fight.
At the first glance Joshua perceived that
he had not overrated the foe, for those who
began the battle were bearded men, with
clearly cut, manly faces, out of which their
black eyes glowed at the enemy with wild
and bloodthirsty hatred. And every man,
like their leader himself, q gray-haired
man Of many scars, was spare and supple of
limb. They welded the curved saber, the
javelin Of heavy sharpened wood, and the
lance ornamented with a tuft of camel's
hair, like practiced warriors, and the war
cry rang out loud, cruel and death-defying
from the deep hearts of these men, who felt
that they must die or see their dearest pos
session in the hands of the enemy.
At the first onslaught Joshua led forward
the men whom he had armed with the large
Egyptian shields and lances. and these,
fired by their valiant leader, made a good
stand, particularly as the narrow defile into
the field of battle hindered their wild op-
ponents from taking full advantage of their
superior numbers. But when the men on
foot presently withdrew, and troop of war
riors or dromedaries rushed down on the He
brews, many of them were scared at the |
strange sight of these creatures known |
to them only by description. They cast |
away their shields and fed with loud out |
cries, and wherever a gap was made the
riders drove in their dromedaries and thrust |
down at the foe with their long sharp jave- |
Inns. At this the herdsmen, unused to such |
attack, thought only of saving themselves, |
and many turned to fly, for sudden terror
seized them as they saw the flaming eyes, |
and heard the shrill, malignant cry of the |
enraged Amalekite women, who had rushed |
into the fight to add fuel to their husbands
courage and terrify the enemy. They held |
on to the bumped brutes by leathern straps
hanging down from the saddle, which they |
cIutched in their left hands, and allowed |
to be dragged whithersoever the
RIDERS went. Hatred seemed to have
steeled each female heart against
feeling; and the hideous cry
Of these Megaeras broke the spirit Of many
q brave Hebrew.
But no sooner did their captain see them
give way than he took advantage of the dis
aster, and bid them retire and allow the saw
age Toe to enter the valley; for he said to
himself that the superior numbers Of his
men could be turned to better account as
soon as they had the opportunity Of press
ing on the foe from both fanks as we'll as in
front, and when the slingers and archers
could take their part in the fight
Ephraim and the brayest Of his COM
rades. who remained with him as run
lers, were now sent back to the northern
end OF the valley, to tell the leaders Of
the ranks posted there what Joshua pro-
posed, and to order them to advance.
The swift-iooted shepherd lads vanished
Is nimbly as gazelles; and it soon was seen
that their captain had hit or the right plan;
Tor no sooner had the Amalekites reached
Ehe middle Of the valley than the Hebrews
ell upon them from all sides; several who
we're bravely rushing forward fell in the
and as they brandished The sword or spear,
ait by a round pebble or a sharp arrow
romtgin or bow.
Moses, meanwhile. kept his place on the
,lif overlooking the battle field, With
Aaron aud Hnr. From thence he watched
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