44 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Grandfather. Travellers who have been there at that
season have seen no rise in the river, so it is supposed
that it has not overflowed its banks for a considerable
number of years; the cause of this is not known.
That the river should be so much swollen at the time
the Israelites entered Canaan, must have made the
miracle wrought in their behalf the more striking, not
only in their eyes, but also in the eyes of the heathen
inhabitants of Jericho, who saw from their walls the
dividing of the Jordan that their enemies might pass
through.

Marianne. They must have been very much afraid.

Grandfather. Doubtless they were; but their fear
did them no good. If they had humbled themselves —
and besought pardon for their many offences, even then,
at the eleventh hour, mercy might have been found for
them. After the children of Israel entered Canaan,
the manna that had fallen for so many years ceased to
fall, and they ate of the corn of the land.

George. Grandfather, I am wearying to hear of the
wonderful siege ; will you soon come to it?

Grandfather. Immediately. Joshua stood beside
Jericho, engaged probably in examining its walls and
fortifications, considering where it would be best to
begin the attack, when he saw standing opposite to him
a man with a drawn sword in his hand. “ Art thou
for us,” the leader of the Israelites asked, “ or for our
enemies?” “ Nay,” was the reply, “ but as captain
of the host of the Lord am I now come.” Then Joshua