Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-05-17

those already upon them others sprang
up from the dust beneath their feet.
This is more % that man Moses
work. snarissi James. shaking him
self. tmpariently. But Jambres was
too busy rubbing and scratchiSS him
self and trying to obtain relief from
the lice to make reply. And thus. tn
stead of their stately. digniiied en-
trance to the king's presence. they en-
tered his apartments with nervous.
halrtng steps. and found him in like
distress Of body. for IN place OF the
cold serenity and naughty dignity with
which he Invariably received his OH
ctals. he moved uneasilv on his throne,
and then nervousIy rose and shook
himself and took his seat again As
hts eyes fell upon James amt lam
bres. his face somewhat lightened. and
he cried. excitedIy.
What means this dreadful visitation, I,
Let US see by thy enchantments IL thou.
too. can bring forth these lice. Then
shall know that Moses God Is no god
at all
With esrsrsinn hv the words of the
. king. for they had taken no thought as
to the manner OF calling forth the lire
as Moses had doue They knew not
what reply tn make To their lord. and
stood in embarrassed silence before
him
Recovering their seif-possession at
last. however. they cleveriy parried for
time. saying
Know. o king. that in So important
a matter all thy magicians and sorcer-
ers OF the temple must be summoned.
that we may have the help OF all those
who serve before the gofis Of Egypt.
But let uct thy heart be troubled in this
thy distress. Have we not shown
Pharaoh the turning of the water 10
bIood. and the calling forth OF frogs.
even as yTosses did. and shall we not
again triumph
Go then. cried Pharaoh. impatient
" And return ar once. for | shall BE-
awaiting thee here.
Soou. in answer to the hastv sum
nous the magicians and sorrerers OF
Egypt were hurrying to the palace from
every direction. and held hasty con-
sulrafion with Jannes and Jambres.
who delayed the return to the royal
presence so long that the king. unwill-
ing ru wait longer. sent Imperative
vorsi that they appear.
Then was begun a most desperate
struggle upon the part OF the king'S
magicians to turn the dust TO lice. Their
wiersl chanting filed the great hall
WHERE they were gathered. They tried
all their euchanfments and in the fren-
" Of desperation beat their breasts and
called upon their gods 10 hear and an
swsr. hat there came M answering
sign With eager intensity Pharaoh
watched every move 0f his maEicians.
and when they threw themselves
upon the gruund before him in
tokeu os their failure. he waved them
IN one side and called
Let Iannes and Jambres appear
They shall not fail Us even as they dit
NOT when the rivers were turned %
bissoG and the frpss appeared
Again the chanting began. The ar
rsnsiant priests keeping time 10 the
movements OF Iannes and Jambres.
who now came ami stood before the
king. But az Inst after exhausttng
themselves in their efforts they sank
~ the ground as the others had done.
and a soIemn stiffness as OF death fell
apon the place.
Pharaoh SAT as one turned 10 stone.
look almost Of scorn upon his face
vhfch hardened into an expression OF
hirred hatred rs the moments Of tense
agony dragged themselves out
AT last one OF the magicians crept 10
his side and whispered N 4 voice that
fairly quivered with the tensity OF its
suppressed awe and terror
This is the finger OF Cod
Another. emboldened by the action
Of the first. also stepped forward and re-
peared the worSis:
Yea. il Is the finger OF Cod
Another and another and still an
other did likewise. until at last James
and Jambres were alone and still pros
trate upon the ground at the feet of
Pharaoh. Had they not heardT Would
they. too. admit the superiority OF
Moses Cod
The eyes of the king burned like Goals
OF fire as he IooSed upon them Higher
and higher he lifted his imperious
head. More and more rigid became his
form But he spalSe not
Again the Intense. tragic whisper
reverberated through the room This
Is the finger Of Cod"
The Kissing. piercing echo had scarce
" died away among the lofty pillars OF
the vauIted hall when James and
Jambres Ieaped TO their feet with a
herre, angry cry which made even
Pharaoh start upon his throne.
Traitors to the gods OF Egypt, they
shouted. pointing their accusing fingers
at them and swaying their bodies in the
intensity OF their emotions. -Traitorst
Think you that Moses shall prevail!
Not while Jannes and Jambres can
withstand sicses 70 his face. Let
Pharaoh not faIrer. This piague like
the others viii pass. The gods OF Egypt
viii finally triumph"
slowly, Pharaoh rose until his tower
ing height seemed to overShadCw all
There was i glitter in his eye and
cruel. hard smile played over hist
lures as he again waved the magicians
ar his side away, and exclaimed
Iannes and Jambres have spoken
Hear We them.
A Dead LOSS
Sea bare Aunr Dtuah zar+ +-r