HOME AT LAST.
When they neared Petra a horn was heard to blow, and people were seen
running about among the houses.
“They take us for a party of Arabs,” one of the horsemen said. “As I
have often been through the town and am known to several persons here,
I will, if you like, hurry on and tell them that we are peaceful
travelers.”
The party halted for a few minutes and then moved slowly forward
again. By the time they reached the town the news that the party were
traders had spread, and the people were issuing from their houses.
These were small and solidly built of stone. They were but one story
high. The roof was flat, with a low wall running round it, and the
houses had but one door, opening externally. This was very low and
narrow, so that those inside could offer a determined resistance
against entry. As the town stood on the slope of the hill, and the
roofs of the lower houses were commanded by those from above, the
place was capable of offering a determined resistance against
marauding tribes. The head man of the place met the travelers and
conducted them to an empty house, which he placed at their disposal,
and offered a present of fowls, dates, and wine. The news that a heavy
defeat had been inflicted upon one of the wandering bands excited
satisfaction, for the interference of these plunderers greatly
affected the prosperity of the place, as the inhabitants were unable
to trade with Ælana unless going down in very strong parties. Every
attention was paid to the party by the inhabitants. Their wounds were
bathed and oil poured into them, and in the more serious cases boiled
herbs of medicinal virtue were applied as poultices to the wounds.
Petra at that time was but a large village, but it afterward rose
into a place of importance. The travelers remained here for a week, at
the end of which time all save two were in a fit state to continue
their journey.
Without further adventure the journey was continued to Moab. On their
arrival here the escort was dismissed, each man receiving a present in
addition to the stipulated rate of pay that they were to draw upon
their return to Ælana.
Moab was a settled country. It contained no large towns; but the
population, which was considerable, was gathered in small villages of
low stone-built houses, similar to those in Petra. The inhabitants
were ready to trade. Their language was strange to Jethro and Amuba;
but it was closely related to that spoken by Ruth, and she generally
acted as interpreter between Jethro and the natives. After traveling
through Moab, they took the caravan road across the desert to the
northeast, passed through the oasis of Palmyra, a large and
flourishing city, and then journeyed on the Euphrates. They were now
in the country of the Assyrians, and not wishing to attract attention
or questions, they avoided Nineveh and the other great cities, and
kept on their way north until they reached the mountainous country
lying between Assyria and the Caspian.
They met with many delays upon the way, and it was six months after
leaving Ælana before, after passing through a portion of Persia, they
reached the country inhabited by the scattered tribes known by the
general name of Medes, and to whom the Rebu were related. Through
this country Thotmes had carried his arms, and most of the tribes
acknowledged the dominion of Egypt and paid a tribute to that country,
Egyptian garrisons being scattered here and there among them.
Jethro and Amuba now felt at home, but as they determined that when
they reached their own country they would, until they found how
matters were going on there, disguise their identity, they now
traveled as Persian traders. Long before reaching Persia they had
disposed of the stock of goods with which they started, and had now
supplied themselves with articles of Persian manufacture. They thus
passed on unquestioned from village to village, as the trade in those
regions was entirely carried on by Persian merchants, that country
having already attained a comparatively high amount of civilization;
while the Median tribes, although settled down into fixed communities,
had as yet but little knowledge of the arts of peace. The party
journeyed in company with some Persian traders, and gradually worked
their way north until they arrived at the first Rebu village.
They had many times debated the question of the part they should here
play, and had agreed that it would be better to continue to maintain
their character as Persian traders until they had learned the exact
position of affairs. In order to be able to keep up their disguise
they had laid in a fresh stock of Persian goods at the last large town
through which they passed. Had Jethro been alone he could at once have
declared himself, and would have been received with joy as one who had
made his way back from captivity in Egypt; but for Amuba there would
have been danger in his being recognized until the disposition of the
occupant of the throne was discovered. There would, indeed, have been
small chance of his being recognized had he been alone. Nearly four
years had elapsed since he had been carried away captive, and he had
grown from a boy into a powerful young man; but had Jethro been
recognized his companion’s identity might have been suspected, as he
was known to have been the special mentor and companion of the young
prince.
As to Amuba, he had no desire whatever to occupy the throne of the
Rebu, and desired only to reside quietly in his native country. The
large sum that Ameres had handed over to the care of Jethro had been
much diminished by the expenses of their long journey, but there was
still ample to insure for them all a good position in a country where
money was not abundant.
In their journey through Persia they had picked up many of the words
of that language differing from those of the Rebu, and using these in
their conversation they were able to pass well as traders who in their
previous journeys in the land had acquired a fair knowledge of the
dialect of the people. They soon learned that an Egyptian garrison
still occupied the capital, that the people groaned under the
exactions necessary to pay the annual tribute, and that General
Amusis, who had, as Amuba’s father expected he would do, seized the
throne of the Rebu after the departure of the main Egyptian army, was
in close intimacy with the Egyptian officials, and was in consequence
extremely unpopular among the people. He had, on his accession to
power, put to death all the relatives of the late king who could be
considered as rival claimants for the throne, and there could be
little doubt that did he suspect that Amuba had returned from Egypt he
would not hesitate to remove him from his path.
Amuba had several long consultations with Jethro as to his course. He
repeated to him the conversation that he had had with his father on
the day previous to the battle in which the latter was slain, how he
had warned him, against the ambition of Amusis, and advised him,
rather than risk the chances of civil war in endeavoring to assert his
rights, to collect a body of adherents and to seek a new home in the
far west. Jethro, however, was strongly of opinion that the advice,
although excellent at the time, was no longer appropriate.
“To begin with, Amuba, you were then but a boy of sixteen, and engaged
as we were in war with Egypt, the people would naturally have
preferred having a well-known and skillful general at their head to
a boy whom they could not hope would lead them successfully in war.
You are now a man. You have had a wide experience. You have an
acquaintance with the manners and ways of our conquerors, and were you
on the throne could do much for the people, and could promote their
welfare by encouraging new methods of agriculture and teaching them
something of the civilization in Egypt.
“In the second place, in the four years that have elapsed Amusis has
had time to make himself unpopular. The necessity for heavy taxation
to raise the annual tribute has naturally told against him, to say
nothing of the fact that he is said to be on friendly terms with our
foreign oppressors. Therefore the chances would be all in your favor.”
“But I have no desire to be king,” Amuba replied. “I want to live in
quiet contentment.”
“You are born to be king, Prince Amuba,” Jethro said; “it is not a
matter of your choice. Besides, it is evident that for the good of the
people it is necessary that the present usurper should be overthrown
and the lawful dynasty restored. Besides this, it is clear that you
cannot live in peace and contentment as you say; you might at any
moment be recognized and your life forfeited. As to the original plan,
I am sure that your father would not have advocated it under the
changed circumstances; besides, I think you have had your fair share
of wandering and dangers.
“Moreover, I suppose you would hardly wish to drag Mysa with you on
your journey to an unknown country, where all sorts of trials and
struggles must unquestionably be encountered before you succeed in
founding a new settlement. I suppose,” he said with a smile, “you
would not propose leaving her here to whatever fate might befall her.
I fancy from what I have seen during the last six months that you have
altogether other intentions concerning her.”
Amuba was silent for some time.
“But if Amusis is supported by the Egyptians,” he said at last, “and
is viewed by them as their ally, I should not be able to overthrow him
without becoming involved in hostilities with them also. It is not,”
he went on, seeing that Jethro was about to speak, “of the garrison
here that I am thinking, but of the power of Egypt behind it. Did I
overthrow Amusis and defeat the Egyptians, his friends, I should bring
upon my country a fresh war with Egypt.”
“Egypt is, as we have found, a very long way off, Amuba. Occasionally
a warlike monarch arises under whom her arms are carried vast
distances and many nations are brought under her sway, but such
efforts are made but rarely, and we lie at the extremest limit of her
power. Thotmes himself has gained sufficient glory. He was absent for
years from his country, and at the end of long journeyings returned
home to enjoy the fruits of his victories. It is not likely that he
would again start on so long an expedition merely to bring so distant
a corner of the land subject to Egypt again under her sway. The land
is stripped of its wealth; there is nothing to reward such vast toil
and the outlay that would be required to carry out such an expedition,
and it may be generations before another monarch may arise thirsting
like Thotmes for glory, and willing to leave the luxuries of Egypt for
a course of distant conquest.
“Besides, Egypt has already learned to her cost that the Rebu are not
to be overcome bloodlessly, and that defeat is just as likely as
victory to attend her arms against us. Therefore I do not think that
the thought of the vengeance of Egypt need deter you. In other
respects the present occupation by them is in your favor rather than
otherwise, for you will appear before the people not only as their
rightful king but as their liberator from the hated Egyptian yoke.”
“You are right, Jethro,” Amuba said after a long silence; “it is my
duty to assert my rights and to restore the land to freedom. My mind
is made up now. What is your advice in the matter?”
“I should journey through the land until we reach a port by the sea
frequented by Persian traders, and should there leave the two girls in
charge of the family of some trader in that country; there they can
remain in tranquillity until matters are settled. Chebron will, I am
sure, insist upon sharing our fortunes. Our long wanderings have made
a man of him, too. They have not only strengthened his frame and
hardened his constitution, but they have given stability to his
character. He is thoughtful and prudent, and his advice will always be
valuable, while of his courage I have no more doubt than I have of
yours. When you have once gained your kingdom you will find in
Chebron a wise counselor, one on whom you can lean in all times of
difficulty.
“When we have left the girls behind we will continue our journey
through the land, and gradually put ourselves into communication with
such governors of towns and other persons of influence as we may learn
to be discontented with the present state of things, so that when we
strike our blow the whole country will declare for you at once. As we
travel we will gradually collect a body of determined men for the
surprise of the capital. There must be numbers of my old friends and
comrades still surviving, and there should be no difficulty in
collecting a force capable of capturing the city by a surprise.”
Jethro’s plans were carried out, and the girls placed under the care
of the wife of a Persian trader in a seaport close to the frontier of
Persia; the others then started upon their journey, still traveling as
Persians. Jethro had little difficulty in discovering the sentiments
of the principal men in the towns through which they passed.
Introducing himself first to them as a Persian trader desirous of
their protection in traveling through the country, he soon disclosed
to them his own individuality.
To many of them he was known either personally or by repute. He
informed them that he had escaped from Egypt with Amuba, but he led
them to believe that his companion was waiting in Persian territory
until he learned from him that the country was ripe for his
appearance; for he thought it best in no case to disclose the fact
that Amuba was with him, lest some of those with whom he communicated
should endeavor to gain rewards from the king by betraying him. His
tidings were everywhere received with joy, and in many cases Jethro
was urged to send at once for Amuba and to show him to the people,
for that all the land would instantly rise on his behalf.
Jethro, however, declared that Amuba would bide his time, for that a
premature disclosure would enable the king to call together a portion
of the army which had formerly fought under his orders, and that with
the assistance of the Egyptians he might be able to form a successful
resistance to a popular rising.
“I intend,” he said, “if possible, to collect a small force to seize
the person of the usurper by surprise, and so paralyze resistance; in
which case there would only be the Egyptians to deal with, and these
would be starved out of their fortress long before assistance could
reach them.”
After visiting most of the towns Jethro and his companions journeyed
through the villages remote from the capital. Here the king’s
authority was lightly felt save when troops arrived once a year to
gather in the taxes. Less caution was therefore necessary, and Jethro
soon made himself known and began to enlist men to the service. This
he had no difficulty in doing. The news that an attempt was at once
to be made to overthrow the usurper and to free the land of the
Egyptians, and that at the proper time the rightful king would present
himself and take the command, was received with enthusiasm.
In each valley through which they passed the whole of the young men
enrolled themselves, receiving orders to remain perfectly quiet and
to busy themselves in fabricating arms, of which the land had been
stripped by the Egyptians, until a messenger arrived summoning them to
meet at a rendezvous on an appointed day.
In six weeks the numbers of the enrolled had reached the point that
was considered necessary for the enterprise, and a day was fixed on
which they were to assemble among the hills a few miles distant from
the town. Upon the appointed day the bands began to arrive. Jethro had
purchased cattle and provisions, and receiving each band as it arrived
formed them into companies and appointed their leaders. Great fires
were lighted and the cattle slaughtered. Chebron aided in the
arrangements; but Amuba, by Jethro’s advice, passed the day in a small
tent that had been pitched in the center of the camp.
By the evening the whole of the contingents had arrived, and Jethro
saw with satisfaction the spirit that animated them all and the useful
if somewhat rough weapons that they had fashioned. When all had
assembled he drew them up in a body; and after a speech that excited
their patriotic feelings to the utmost, he went to the tent, and
leading Amuba forth presented him to them as their king.
He had in his journeys through the towns procured from some of the
principal men arms and armor fitted for persons of high rank, which
had been lying concealed since the conquest by the Egyptians. Amuba
was accoutered in these, and as he appeared at the door of his tent a
wild shout of greeting burst from the troops, and breaking their ranks
they rushed forward, and throwing themselves on their faces round him,
hailed him as their king and promised to follow him to the death.
It was a long time before the enthusiasm and excitement abated; then
Amuba addressed his followers, promising them deliverance from the
Egyptian yoke and from the taxation under which they so long groaned.
A week was spent in establishing order and discipline in the
gathering, sentries being placed at a distance round the camp to
prevent any stranger entering, or any one leaving to carry the news to
the city. In the meantime trusted men were sent to the town to
ascertain the exact position of affairs there, and to learn whether
the garrison had been placed on their guard by any rumors that might
have reached the town of disaffection in the country districts. They
returned with the intelligence that although reports had been received
that the late king’s son had escaped captivity in Egypt and would
shortly appear to claim his rights, the news had been received with
absolute incredulity, the king and his Egyptian allies scoffing at the
idea of a captive making his escape from Egypt and traversing the long
intervening distance. So complete had been the quiet throughout the
country since the Egyptian occupation that the garrison had ceased to
take any precautions whatever. No watch was set, and the gates of the
city were seldom closed even at night.
The plans were now finally arranged. Jethro, with a band of two
hundred men, was to enter the town in the daytime; some going down to
the next port and arriving by sea, others entering singly through the
gates. At midnight they were to assemble in the square round the
palace, which was to be suddenly attacked. Amuba, with the main body,
was to approach the city late in the evening and to station themselves
near one of the gates.
Jethro was before the hour named for the attack to see whether this
gate was open and unguarded, and if he found that it was closed and
under charge of an Egyptian guard, he was to tell off fifty men of his
command to attack and overpower the Egyptians, and throw open the gate
the instant they heard the trumpet, which was to be the signal for the
attack of the palace. Jethro’s party were, therefore, the first to
start, going off in little groups, some to the neighboring ports,
others direct to the city. Jethro himself was the last to set out,
having himself given instructions to each group as they started as to
their behavior and entry into the city, and the rendezvous at which
they were to assemble. He also arranged that if at any time they
should hear his call upon the horn, which was to be repeated by three
or four of his followers, who were provided with similar instruments,
they were to hurry to the spot at the top of their speed.
“One can never tell,” he said, when he told Amuba the orders he had
given, “what may happen. I believe that every man here is devoted to
you, but there may always be one traitor in a crowd; but even without
that, some careless speech on the part of one of them, a quarrel with
one of the king’s men or with an Egyptian, and the number of armed men
in the city might be discovered, for others would run up to help their
comrade, and the broil would grow until all were involved. Other
reasons might render it advisable to strike at an earlier hour than I
arranged.”
“I cannot think so,” Amuba replied. “I should say if anything were to
precipitate affairs it would be most prejudicial. You, with your small
force, would be certain to be overwhelmed by the large body of
followers whom, as we have learned, the king keeps in his palace, to
say nothing of the Egyptians. In that case not only would you lose
your lives, but you would put them so thoroughly upon their guard that
our enterprise at night would have little chance of success.”
“That is true,” Jethro said; “and I certainly do not mean to make the
slightest variation from the plan we agreed upon unless I am driven to
it. Still it is as well to be prepared for everything.”
“Of course I know that you will do nothing that is rash, Jethro. After
being all these years my guide and counselor, I know that you would do
nothing to endanger our success now that it seems almost assured.”
Jethro had in fact a reason for wishing to be able to collect his men
suddenly which he had not mentioned to Amuba. He thought it possible
that, as he had said, at the last moment the plot might by some means
or other be discovered. And his idea was that if that were the case he
would instantly gather his followers and attack the palace, trusting
to surprise and to his knowledge of the building in the endeavor to
fight his way to the king’s abode and slay him there, even if he
himself and his men were afterward surrounded and cut to pieces. The
usurper once removed, Jethro had no doubt that the whole nation would
gladly acknowledge Amuba, who would then have only the Egyptian
garrison to deal with.
No such accident, however, happened. The men entered the town
unnoticed. Those who had come by boat, and who were for the most part
natives of villages along the shore, remained in the lower town near
the landing-place. Such of them as had friends went to their houses.
Those who entered the gates sauntered about the town singly or in
pairs, and as their weapons were hidden they attracted no notice,
having the appearance of men who had come in from the country round to
dispose of their produce or the spoils of the chase, or to exchange
them for such articles as were required at home. Jethro went at once
to the house of an old friend with whom he had already communicated by
messenger.
The house was situated on the open space facing the palace. Here from
time to time he received messages from his sub-leaders, and learned
that all was going on well. He heard that the continual rumors from
the country of the approaching return of the son of the late king had
at last caused some anxiety to the usurper, who had that morning
seized and thrown into prison several leading men who were known to be
personally attached to the late king. Not, indeed, that he believed
that Amuba could have returned; but he thought it possible that some
impostor might be trading on his name.
Several bodies of men had been dispatched from the town to the places
whence these rumors had been received, to ascertain what truth there
was in them and to suppress at once any signs of revolt against the
king’s authority. This was highly satisfactory news to Jethro, as in
the first place it showed that the king did not dream of danger in his
capital; and, in the second place, it reduced the number of fighting
men in the palace to a number but slightly exceeding the force at his
own disposal.
Jethro did not stir abroad until nightfall, his face being so well
known in the town that he might at any moment be recognized. But as
soon as it was dark he went out, and, accompanied by his friend, went
round the town. He found that some changes had taken place since he
had last been there. The Egyptians had entirely cleared away the huts
toward the end of the rock furthest from the sea, and had there
erected large buildings for the use of the governor, officers, and
troops; and had run a wall across from the walls on either side,
entirely separating their quarter from the rest of the town. Jethro’s
friend informed him that the erection of these buildings had greatly
added to the hatred with which the Egyptians were regarded, as they
had been erected with forced labor, the people being driven in by
thousands and compelled to work for many months at the buildings.
Jethro learned that as soon as the inner wall was completed the
Egyptians had ceased altogether to keep watch at the gates of the city
walls, but that they had for a long time kept a vigilant guard at the
gate leading to their quarters through the new wall. For the last
year, however, owing to the absence of any spirit of revolt among the
Rebu, and to their confidence in the friendship of the king, they had
greatly relaxed their vigilance.
By nine o’clock all was quiet in the town. Jethro sent out a messenger
by the road by which Amuba’s force would approach, to tell him that
the city walls were all unguarded, and that he had better enter by the
gate half an hour before midnight, instead of waiting until he heard
the signal for attack. He could then move his men up close to the
Egyptian wall so as to attack that gate when the signal was given,
otherwise the Egyptians would be put on their guard by the sound of
fighting at the palace before he could arrive at their gate.
At the time he had named Jethro went to the gate by which Amuba was to
enter, and soon heard a faint confused noise, and a minute or two
later a dark mass of men were at the path at the gate. They were
headed by Amuba. Jethro at once explained to him the exact position;
and his companion placed himself by the side of Amuba to act as his
guide to the Egyptian wall.
Jethro then returned to the rendezvous, where his men were already
drawn up in order. Midnight was now close at hand. Quietly the band
crossed the square to the gate of the palace; then Jethro gave a loud
blast of his horn, and in an instant a party of men armed with heavy
axes rushed forward and began to hew down the gate. As the thundering
noise rose on the night air cries of terror and the shouts of officers
were heard within the royal inclosure. Then men came hurrying along
the wall, and arrows began to fall among the assailants; but by this
time the work of the axmen was nearly done, and in five minutes after
the first blow was struck the massive gates fell splintered and Jethro
rushed in at the head of his band.
The garrison, headed by the usurper himself, endeavored to stem their
inrush; but, taken by surprise, half-armed, and ignorant of the
numbers of their assailants, they could not long withstand the
determined onslaught of Jethro’s men. Jethro himself made his way
through the crowd of fighting men and engaged in a hand-to-hand fight
with the usurper, who, furious with rage and despair at the sudden
capture of the palace, fought but wildly, and Jethro’s heavy ax soon
terminated the conflict by hewing clean through helmet and head.
The fall of the usurper was for the moment unnoticed in the darkness
and confusion, but Jethro shouted to his men to hold their hands and
fall back. Then he called upon the garrison to surrender, telling them
that Amusis had fallen, and that Amuba, the son of Phrases, had
arrived, and was now king of the Rebu.
“We do not war against our own people. The Egyptians are our only
enemies. Some of you may know me. I am Jethro, and I call upon you to
join us and make common cause against the Egyptians, who are even now
being attacked by our young king.”
The garrison were but too glad to accept the terms. Fear rather than
love had attached them to Amusis; and they were delighted to escape
the prospect of death, which had the moment before stared them in the
face, and to swear allegiance to their rightful king. As Jethro
ceased, therefore, shouts of “Long live Amuba, king of the Rebu!” rose
from them.
“Form up in order instantly under your captains,” Jethro commanded,
“and follow us.”
The fray had been so short that it was but ten minutes from the moment
when Jethro’s horn had given the signal for attack to that when he led
his force, now increased to twice its former dimensions, to the
assistance of Amuba. When he reached the wall that separated the
Egyptian barracks from the rest of the town he found that Amuba had
entered without resistance and had captured two or three buildings
nearest to the gate, surprising and slaying their occupants; but
beyond that he had made no progress. The Egyptians were veterans in
warfare, and after the first moment of surprise had recovered their
coolness, and with their flights of arrows so swept the open spaces
between the buildings that the Rebu could make no progress.
Jethro ordered the troops who had just joined him, all of whom carried
bows and arrows, to ascend the walls and open fire upon the buildings
occupied by the Egyptians. Then he with his own band joined Amuba.
“All has gone well,” he said. “The palace is captured and Amusis
slain. I would do nothing further to-night. The Egyptians are four
thousand strong, while we have but half that number. It would be
madness to risk a repulse now. I will send off messengers at once to
the governors of all the towns and to our friends there, informing
them that the usurper is slain, that you are proclaimed king and are
now besieging the Egyptians in their quarters, and ordering them to
march hither at once with every man capable of bearing arms.
“In three days we shall have twenty thousand men here, and the
Egyptians, finding their position hopeless, will surrender; whereas if
you attack now we may be repulsed and you may be slain, and in that
case the country, left without a leader, will fall again into
slavery.”
Amuba, whose armor had already been pierced by several arrows and who
was bleeding freely, was with some difficulty persuaded by Jethro to
adopt his counsel. He saw at last that it was clearly the wisest plan
to adopt, and orders were at once issued to the men to desist from
further assaults, but to content themselves with repelling any attacks
the Egyptians might make.
These, however, were too ignorant as to the strength of their
assailants to think of taking the offensive, and until morning both
sides contented themselves with keeping up an incessant fire of arrows
against the openings in the buildings occupied by their foes. In the
morning Amuba ordered some green branches to be elevated on the flat
terrace of the house he occupied. The signal was observed and the fire
of the Egyptians ceased. As soon as it did so Jethro presented himself
on the terrace, and a minute or two later the Egyptian governor
appeared on the terrace of the opposite building. Not a little
surprised was he to hear himself addressed in his own language.
“In the name of King Amuba, son of King Phrases and lawful ruler of
the Rebu, I, Jethro his general, summon you to surrender. The usurper
Amusis is dead and the whole land has risen against you. Our force is
overpowering--resistance can only result in the death of every
Egyptian under your orders. Did we choose we could starve you out, for
we know that you have no more than a week’s provisions in your
magazines.
“There is no possibility that assistance can reach you. No messenger
could pass the watchers in the plain; and could they do so your
nearest force is hundreds of miles away, and is of no strength to
fight its way hither. In the name of the king I offer to allow you to
depart, carrying with you your arms and standards. The king has been
in your country. He knows how great and powerful is your nation, and
fain would be on terms of friendship with it; therefore he would
inflict no indignity upon you. The tribute which your king laid upon
the land is far more than it can pay, but the king will be willing to
send every year, to the nearest garrison to his frontiers, a tribute
of gold and precious stones of one-fifth the value of that which has
been until now wrung from the land. This he will do as a proof of the
honor in which he holds your great nation and as a recognition of its
power. The king ordered me to say that he will give you until
to-morrow morning to reflect over his offer. If it is refused the
whole garrison will be put to the sword.”
So saying Jethro descended from the terrace, leaving the Egyptians to
consider the terms he proposed.