them.

The band had divided into two portions, leaving a space, a few yards in width, and Alick was able to form a better judgment than before of their numbers, which were not under twenty, all formidably armed. It was evident they were in a state of expectation, their eyes frequently turned in the direction whither they had been travelling, and just as the tramp of horses' feet reached Alick's ear he remarked a most grim, ferocious expression of hostility succeeding the levity that had prevailed. He looked in the direction of the sound, and leisurely trotting their horses' up a gentle slope, he saw four men in a garb no less dear than familiar to him; it was the uniform of the British Navy.

What were his feelings! Deliverance was the first thought, and his heart beat high with hope—a single word of appeal, and rescue was certain; but alas! a moment's recollection told him that English influence could have no weight with such a rude, disorderly horde; and that any attempt at interference on their behalf might afford a pretext for some outrage for which they were evidently disposed, and in which their numbers and weapons would give them too great an advantage for even English prowess to withstand. Besides, there was an evident determination on the part of their guards to prevent any speech between him and the travellers. Meanwhile, the party had arrived nearly opposite them. The Egyptian officer came forward, and a paper was handed to him, the name of Ibraham Pasha being at the same time uttered. This was carefully examined, and returned, and as the foremost of the Englishmen rode on, Alick caught a sight of one in the rear, and uttered an involuntary ex

clamation, that procured him a terrible blow across the mouth from the flat of a scymetar. He saw

Gordon, the gunner of the ship; and saw his eye fixed on him but with no sign of recognition. Forgetting at the moment his disguise, the Arab garb, and Arab complexion that he had assumed, it wrung his heart to be so disowned in the hour of his deep calamity but again he remembered, and as the Englishmen quietly proceeded on their way a feeling of thankfulness for their safety prevailed over all selfish regret: he wiped his bleeding lips, and resigned himself to the overpowering recollections which the transient glimpse of the good gunner's well-remembered face had called up.

C. E.

FEMALE BIOGRAPHY OF SCRIPTURE.

THE WISE WOMAN OF ABEL.

"THE wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth." Similitudes, drawn from that mysterious agent in the natural world, the wind, are of frequent recurrence in scripture. The invisible agency by which God brings decay on human beauty or glory, is aptly figured forth under the metaphor of a breeze rifling a flower, and scattering its delicate petals: "the wind passeth over it and it is gone." Sinners, are said, by a fine irony, to "inherit the wind:" to "sow wind:" to "feed on wind:" to "reap the whirlwind." The wind is often represented as ministering to the divine parposes, whether of mercy or of wrath: "He stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind: at His word the stormy wind ariseth : ""He bringeth the wind out of His treasuries: He maketh his angels winds." But the most striking figure in which this metaphor is applied, is that, in which the invisible but most fruitful agency of the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind: like it, not to be discerned: not to be tracked: but known only in its effects: "thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh nor whither it goeth."

The viewless impalpable air "fulfils the word of God." The cunning hand of science may not, indeed, grasp the subtle element, nor track its source or compass but it can point to the healthful current in the views of nature; and show how all this worldwide circulation, this ceaseless flowing, this restless agitation, breathes purity and renewal throughout her vast unwasting frame. Why should we marvel that "the way of the Spirit is a hidden way:" that the operations of grace should "work in us invisibly ;” when we see how closely the workings of nature are veiled from our view?

The gospel revelation, clear as it is in precept and promise, bringing life and immortality to light: even this is said to be "the wisdom of God in a mystery:" "the hidden wisdom;" and they who are the subjects of its operation, have their "life hid with Christ in God." The goings of an upright man in their unswerving integrity, are attributed to an invisible preserving power; sustaining, though unseen, his course: "the law of God is in his heart: none of his steps shall slide: thy word have I hid in mine heart; that I might not sin against thee." The spiritual nourishment promised to the Christian warrior is "hidden manna;" and the "new name " given to him, a "name which no man knoweth, save he that receiveth it." The love and knowledge of God, are frequently in scripture compared to "hid treasure." "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," was treasure in the hearts of the apostles: "treasure in earthern vessels: " and they whose affections are "set on things above," are said to have treasure in heaven.

We are, in scripture, commanded to search for wis

dom as for hid treasure. Now we do not gather up the ruby or the pearl as we pluck a fair frail flower from the soil. He that would possess himself of these, must penetrate earth's dreariest caverns, and plunge into the depths of her watery abysses; and when he has thus obtained these treasures, he will commit them to the casket; to be brought forth indeed at proper seasons, for adornment; but not to be displayed in inappropriate glitter on every common occasion of life. Matt. vii. 6. "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things." Where there is a hidden store laid up, there is a resource for any emergency: and never do the treasures of wisdom appear to more advantage, than when they spring from sources unexpected. It is like what history has touchingly recorded of the poor man's gold, brought forth to accomplish a king's ransom: it is as when from the herb of the threshold, is distilled a balm to renovate the springs of decaying life.

"With the lowly is wisdom:" and the lowly are the unknown and unobtrusive. If there arise occasion on which they are brought forth into notice, it is because some emergence has put in requisition the treasure they possess: and when this is rendered; they are well content to be again hidden. Fame sounds a trumpet in the highways, along which her votaries pass, declaring that which they have done, and shall accomplish: but wisdom is justified of her children, when she assigns to them the desert; or seats them at the board with the despised and outcast.

There is an incident (it can scarcely be called a history) in the Bible, which strikingly illustrates the