The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-10

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ing great focks of sheep moved ID
compact clouds, with a lank dog and
an ancient shepherd following them.
Tie low, shapeIess tents and matched
novels Of the Israelites stood in the
center of gardens Of lentils, garlic and
lettuce, securely hedged against the IN
roads OF hares and rowing cattle Close
to these were compounds for the focks
and brush Enclosures for geese and
cotes for the pigeons used in sacrifice.
Here dwelt the aged in trusteeship over
the land, while the young and sturdy
buiided Pa-Ramesu.
Sunrise on tse uncompleted city DIP
ped the raw lines of her half built
walls With broken fire and gilded the
gear Of gigantic hosting cranes. Scat
soIding clnging to bald facades seem
ed frail and cobwebby at great height
and slabs of stone drawn and held by
cables near the summit Of chutes look
ed like dice on the giddy slide.
On a slight eminence overlooking the
camp were numerous small structures
OF sun dried brick grouped about one
OF larger dimensions. Above this was
raised a military standard, a hawk up
on crossbar, from which hung party
-colored tassels Of linen fcss. BY this
sign the order Of government was de-
noted. The Hebrews were under mar
sSias law
Before one Of tie tents an old wo-
man knsst besideea bed OF I've Goals,
turning q browning wafer fowl upon
pointed stick.
There was little inside the tent e2-
cept the meagerest essential furnish
ing. A long amphora stood in a ta1na-
risk rack in one corner; linen napkin
hung pinned to the tent cloth over it;
8 glazed layer and small box sat De
side it. A mat Of braided reeds, the
handiwork Of the old Israelite, covered
the naked earth. This served ss seat
or table for the occupants. Several
wisps Of straw were scattered about,
and a heap of it, over which cotton
cloak had been thrown, lay in one cor
ner
Rachel" the old woman said brisk
iy.
Evidently some one slept under the
straw, for the heap stirred.
RACHEL the old woman reiterated,
drawing off the cloak.
Without any preliminary pushing
away OF the straw a young girl sat up.
a little bewiicered, she divested her
head and shoulders Of frowsy straw
ihatch and stood erect, shaking it off
from her single short garment.
She was not more than sixteen years
old. Above medium height and OF no
bier proportions than the typical Uc-
man Of the race, her figure was re
markabIe for its symmetry and utter
grace The stamp Of the countenance
was purely Semitic, except that she
was distinguished most wondrously in
color from her kind. Her sleep had
left its exquisite heaviness on eyes Of
the tencerest blue, and the luxuriant
hair She pushed back from her face
was a fleece Of gold Hers was that
rare complexion that does not tar. The
sun but frightened her hair and
wrought the hue Of health in her
cheeks. Her forehead was low, broad
and white as marble, her neck and
arms white, and the hands, busted with
the hair, were strong, soft, Cimpled
and white The grace Of her woman
hood had not been overcome by the
slave labor which she had known from
infancy
She went to the amphora and poured
water into the laver, drew forth from
the box horn comb and vial Of pow
dered soda from the Natron lakes and
proceeded with her toilet
"Came some one?' she asked present
~.
Deborah pointed to the smoking
bowl. Rachel inspected the fowl.
Marsh henr' she cried in surprise.
"Atsu brought it,
Rachel smiled.
.sFhou art beset from lew direc-
fion." the old woman continued dryly,
but thou hast naught to fear from
him"
"Say. 1 know" Rachel murmured,
arranging her dress
.He would wed thee after the man
ner Of thy people and take thee from
among Israeli Deborah continued.
The girl cropped her head over the
facing of her habit and made no an
rswer. The old woman looked at her
SHARPLY for moment.
AYen, eat, Rachel; eat" she urged at
last. The marsh hen Will stand thee
In good stead, and thou hast a weary
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