The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-10-14

(NAl MI lteS nAd Deen iurk-
HIM ~ ing about in the VI
Nh VVkN cinity, and judg-
NZK@ ing by their dark
S1~ lI looks and the
fact that they
were fully armed there was reason to
expect trouble. 1t was now a week
since the massacre of the men of
Shechem and the spelling Of the city,
and the awful passions of hatred and
revenge which had stirred Simeon and
Levi and their brothers and made them
like madmen had subsidized, and with
the reaction had come forebodings Of
trouble. The boldness of unreasoning
rage and passion had been succeeded
by the weakness and fear of an ac-
cusing consciousness Of guilt and
crime, and now the alarming news of
that morning had created panicky
desire to fee. In this spirit they
sought out their father and appealed
to him to strike their tents and steal
away IS quickly and quietly as pos
sible.
1--WE may be attacked this very
night" Simeon exclaimed, apprehen-
sively. Let us flee at once. To-day"
But whither?" Jacob asked.
Though uneasy over the disquieting
reports he maintained his self-control,
and was disposed to move with eau
ton.
"Whither?" queried Reuben, the eld-
est son, in surprise. Where can we
go but back towards the land of our
mothers father? II we go forward or
fee on either hand we but plunge our
selves more surely into the power Of
our enemies"
To this speech there was ready and
emphatic assent by the rest Of the
sons, and they waited for their father
to speak. 1t was plain to see that
a conflict was going on within his
heart. He sat with bowed head. but
his lips moved as though In prayer.
At last he looked up and, speaking
slowly. but with emphasis, he said:
I'VE cannot go back, my sons"
And then noting the dark looks OF
disapproval and disappointment on the
faces before him, he added:
I'm obedience 20 Gods word we have
come into Canaan. He has promised
rs the land We may not depart, ex-
cept at His word. He is able to de-
liver us from the present peril"
"But we cannot stay here while our
enemies are gathering to destroy u.s."
Simeon cried. impatiently. He had
been largely responsible for the attack
upon the city of Shechem, and he now
realized that as the leader Of the
movement, he must do his best. to find
a way of escape.
"Ah, my sons" sobbed Jacob. over
come by the thought Of his own fall
ures mine is the sin that we have
tarried SO long in this place. Had
we but continued on to Bethel IN
stead of pitching our tents before this
city, all that has befallen us here
would have been avoided"
He was silent for few moments,
and then continued, more cheerfully:
"But If we have sinned In thus lin
gering along the pathway God would
have us travel, let us not commit the
greater sin OF rushing headlong,
whittier He does net lead. Let us
await Gods word in the present ex-
tremity."
And as he finished speaking he arose
and left them. 1t was evident his
words had had some effect, for the
brothers fingered in a dispirited man.
ner. no one seeming bold enough to
take the lead and counsel move con-
trary to their fathers win, though 1t
was ,eiy apparent that they were en-
tirely out of sympathy with his at
titude.
That night the fiocks and the herds
we're all driven in and the camp made
as secure as. possible. The flashins
signals from the surrounding hills did
not tend to quiet the fears Of the peo-
pie. for that they guided and directed
the gathering OF the Canaanites they
felt sure. The presence Of the women
and children of the men slain, and the
rich booty they had seized we're con-
slant reminders OF the danger that
threatened them now.
And the unexplained absence 81
Jacob did not tend to lessen their ap-
prehension. They had searched for
him all through the camp, but had
found him not. and no one seemed to
be able to tell Why he was missing OF
where he VIA to be found. No one
had seen hiri since the afternoon be.
fore. and tlrn he was going in the
direction Of the place where he had
oroofeds the altar TO hio God. That BIZ