The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-31
CAPTAIN BENAJAH.
by J. Ii. Mills
CHAPTER VI.

The road from Jerusalem to GAIA.
leaving the valley of Sorek. passed by
the Rock i.tam. in which were caves
and near which was Il cool spring
OF cold water in a dry and thirsty land.
At this spring the party stopped for
refreshment. Captain Benejah had
loaded his provisions and supplies on
Heber's camels. while he mounted
Heber on one of King Solomon's
splendid Arabian horses. After rest
ing an hour at the spring and filing
their goatskins with fresh water, Cap
tain Benajah and Heber rode at the
head of the company. Heber said,
Captain my opportunities for reading
have been limited and | would be glad
to know more about these caves and
that noble spring which we are now
leaving II am sorry, said Captain
Benaiah," that Zarok is not here to
inform you fully; but I will cheerfully
tell YOU what | know about the spring.
The Israelites disobeyed our God and
He allowed the Philistines to rule and
Cypress them. But power is the father
Of cruelty, and the Philistines plumber
ed enslaved, and taxed Israel without
mercy. They robbed this very produc-
tive and beautiful country and spent
their time in dances, gambling and
carousals The Lord sent Samson to
punish them. He lived in this rock
and hid in these caves. Now Samson
instead of marrying one of the poor
and pious girls on Mt. Ephraim went
down to Timnath and married a rich
girl in a family of idolaters. During
the feast he gambled and was betray-
I ii h., l. ir.4xr in,
Ashkelon to pay a gambling debt
While he dAvelt in these caves, he CON
tinued his war on the oppressors of
his people. On one occasion when his
own people had surrendered him to his
enemies, he picked up fresh Jawbone
and slew thousand Philistines, but
the day was hot and the labor was
great. A sunstroke threatened him.
A burning fever and a raging thirst
endangered his life. At his request
for water, the Lord opened the Jaw
bone Spring on the side of Jawbone
Hill.
His second wife, Delilah (accent on
first syllable) also betrayed him, had
barber to shave his head while he
was asleep. With the loss of his hair,
the Lord forsook him and he was made
to grind in the mill OF repentance I'M
til the day of his death. But Sam
son died gloriously, killing three thou
! sand sport-makers by overthrowing
their temple on their heads, and Jaw
bone Hill and Jawbone Spring remain
| to remind these heather sons of Baal
| that the true God is the real ruler of
this world
II thank YOU" said Heber, ''for that
| interesting sketch of Samson. You are
almost equal to Susiana in explaining
the Scriptures"
"Alas," said Captain Benaiah, "Su-
: siana has the advantage of me, in beau
! ty Of person and sweetness of voice.
/ When she and Judith sing together
the song of Moses (the Ninetieth
Psalm) and play the Harp and Psaltery
the soul of every nearer is lifted up
with spirit of devotion, and graft
| tude."
Zone more question Captain, .
said Heber, "are you very hopeful of
rescuing the girls?"
Captain Benajah stopped his horse
and solemnly answered: did any man
ever outrun the Cherethites, or have
| they ever lost a battle? But see, we
are approaching Ziklog, a city once
captured by robbers, who carried off
much plumber and David's two wives.
| He followed and recovered the prop
erty, and rescued his two wives.
The same God that helped David
will help us. On my return to Jerusa-
| lem, Judith will stand with me before
King Solomon"
Captain. " said Heber, "has it ever &C.
Cured to you that Judith and SuSiana
are two of the best of all women?"
Long ago." said the noble Captain,
''and we are two men who ought to
abound in thanksgiving, but neither
of us is worthy of what we expect to
obtain"
At last GAIA is seen on a hill before
them. The Mediterranean Sea
spreads itself out on the right, three
miles distant, and sand hills lie be-
tween the city and the sea. Captain
Benaiah went into camp on a small
stream having a wide valley and sent
| his scouts into GAIA. These were led
by Heber with camels. He bought
perfumes from Arabia and provisions
from Egypt, for GAIA was the meeting
place of merchants exchanging the
products of different countries. Heber
soon learned that the Duke had hired
three sheiks and a hundred men to
escort him by land to Carnok; that
the girls were guarded as prisoners,
but had been kindly treated. He learn
ed that the Duke and his party would
march out of the city on the road to
Mt. Senai, at dawn on the next morning
Captain Benajah, decided to march in
as the Duke marched out and thus
to cut him off from protection, and
compel him to run or fight. Having
ordered his scouts to watch all move
ments in the city, he ordered his men
to eat substantial suppers and to sleep
till the signal for rising.
At dawn on the next day the Chere-
thites rode into GAIA, and saw the
Duke and his company one mile dis
! tant in the desert. That was soon
| reduced to a hundred yards when
Captain Benajah put his forces in bat
! tie array and going forward called for
! the Duke.
(To be Continued.)
] 4 l. II