This time they were taking the field to hew down men of his own blood.

This was pain indeed, and Ephraim's conduct gave him cause for fresh anxiety; since Kasana's appearance and interference in behalf of him and his companions in suffering, the youth had again lapsed into silence and gazed with wandering eyes at the army or into vacancy.
Now he, too, was freed from the chain, and Joshua asked in a whisper if he did not long to return to his people to help them resist so powerful a force, but Ephraim merely answered: "When confronted with those hosts, they can do nothing but yield.

What did we lack before the exodus?
You were a Hebrew, and yet became a mighty chief among the Egyptians ere you obeyed Miriam's summons.

In your place, I would have pursued a different course." "What would you have done ?" asked Joshua sternly.
"What ?" replied the youth, the fire of his young soul blazing.

"What?
Only this, I would have remained where there is honor and fame and everything beautiful.