"It is the king's counsellor,' said the guard: 'I am authorized to let him pass."

"The rider moved slowly along near the spot where the Kenite boy was reclining. As the figure passed between him and the clear blue sky, the tallness of his person, the long gray locks, the bending attitude and remarkable mien, identified Ahithophel, the far-famed counsellor. He seemed in a profound reverie, and was muttering short sentences as he rode along.

"Said Hushai's counsel was the best. Would show he is his own man - that no man could use him as a tool that he will be king and counsellor both. Well, he shall know what my name and counsel are worth to his cause; and where Hushai will land him.'

"Such broken sentences, falling on the acute ear of Ira, roused his curiosity to know what this could mean. To spring to his feet, and follow the aged counsellor, was with him the work of a moment; yet he made no attempt to come up close to him; for there was an awfulness in Ahithophel's manner, and something so peculiar in the tone of his voice, that, forward and fearless as Ira was, kept him at a respectful distance. The old man went muttering along; but even the sharp ear of Ira could not gather many of the words that he uttered. Yet when he remembered his earnestness in the council, and that his advice had not been followed, this, together with the broken sentences he had heard, led his active mind to conclude that he now despaired of Absalom's success, and was either flying for his life, or in the agony of disappointment was resolved to seek a reconciliation with David.

"When Ahithophel reached his house, he entered,

and waked his family, and gave them a hasty though comprehensive charge about the proper adjustment of his worldly affairs. He then secured a rope, and came to the side of the great road leading to Jerusalem. The only sentence Ira could distinctly hear was this: 'I wish it were in the great street of the city, that Absalom might find, at once, all its effects on his cause and prospects.' A bending tree was standing there. He threw the rope over a large limb, and in another moment swung himself by the rope, and died.

"Ira looked on till the horrible struggle was over, then turned and hurried with great speed, and reached and roused the Danites just at the break of day. He said not a word of what he had seen, but entered the city at the first opening of the gate, and went directly to the council chamber, where Absalom and many of the nobles were already assembled. At length, looking round, with some indications of anxiety, Absalom inquired,

"Is Ahithophel in the room?'

"He is not,' said an officer near the door.

"Send for him immediately,' said Absalom.

"He has left the city, as I learn,' said Carmi, standing near the king.

"Left the city!' said Absalom: 'why, that is strange : he is not gone far, I should think, at a time like this.' "Ahithophel is dead!' said Ira, who never hesitated to speak in any company.

"Ahithophel dead!' exclaimed Absalom. It is not possible.'

"He is dead, my lord,' said Ira; 'I saw him hang

himself beside the road, near his own house, about two hours before day.'

"Why, what can have ailed him?' said Absalom. "He despaired of our cause,' answered Carmi. "Our cause is prospering,' answered Absalom; 'the people are increasing every hour.'

"By the delay in pursuing David,' said Carmi, 'he said that the golden moment was irretrievably lost; that his old friends would have time to assemble, and he would become too strong for us in battle.'

"Then we will pursue after him immediately,' said Absalom. 'There has not been much time lost yet, and it is best to do it before this case of Ahithophel has time to spread far. Say as little about it as possible, all of you; speak not of it at all.'

"Had we not better,' said Carmi, 'send after David and desire conditions of peace?'

"Speak not of it,' replied Absalom, earnestly; 'things have gone too far. Amasa, make your preparations as speedily as you can; we must pursue the refugees with all possible despatch.'

"The whole city of Jerusalem was presently in that state of hurry, hubbub, and mingled confusion, attendant on the preparations of a great multitude to depart on an important expedition. But we must now leave them to take notice of the progress of things on the other side of the river."

CHAPTER XXIII.

BARZILLAI THE GILEADITE.

"THE rising sun," said Belial, "had just begun to tinge the top of the mountains of Gilead, when a venerable man, of fine personal appearance, walked forth from his dwelling to take his morning ride through his cultivated fields. He yet retained much bodily vigor, though his age bordered on fourscore. A little grandson, of nine years old, and two granddaughters, the one perhaps seven years of age and the other five, were playing around him, lively as morning larks, and courting his caresses before he mounted his horse.

The

"Two visitors were about to accompany him. one appeared an Israelitish prince of the first grade, and the other, though on terms of great intimacy, evidently belonged to some other nation. The mansion-house was large and commodious, though free from any aping of extravagant grandeur. The enclosure around it contained lofty shade trees, interspersed with every variety of shrubbery: delightful walks, laid out in the very best taste, added to its interest and its loveliness.

"Before the party rose to their saddles, the eye of the stranger was caught by an extensive apiary, or range of bee-houses, at the one side of the enclosure. He drew near to view it; and already the little, lively,

busy insects were plying their labors, building their cells, carrying in their comb, and preparing their honey with all the nimble industry, hilarity, and briskness inspired by a beautiful summer morning. They hurried, buzzed, and dashed about as if the mightiest interests depended on the speedy accomplishment of the little enterprises in which they were so earnestly engaged.

"The stranger inquired what was the annual produce of this establishment in honey and wax, and what its average value.

"The patriarch replied by giving details and specifications, which showed how closely his personal attention was given to the diversified interest of his large establishment.

"On the other side of the enclosure, a gushing spring poured forth its cool, transparent waters, and a little below was a large dairy, where cream, butter, cheese, and articles in that line, were found in rich abundance. Milkmaids, assisted by a number of boys, were bearing vessels of milk, brimming full and covered with snow-white foam, from the buildings where the cattle were kept, to the dairy. A question was asked by the nobleman of Israel-How is the best method to secure the greatest quantity of milk from a given number of cows?'

"The stranger said, that large pasture fields, with frequent changes, would produce the best result.

"The old patriarch said, 'Where land is valuable, there is a fine profit in cutting the grass with scythes, and feeding it to the cattle in their stalls. It is more trouble,' said he, but the advantage is more than a compensation. The grass in that case is not injured

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