faithful meſs, ſeven men in number, vowed to abide by one another, and to live or die together. They luckily eſcaped the thruſts and cuts of the enemy. They were all hale, well-limbed lads, and ſo nimble that no racer from Midian could have overtaken them. At laſt they grew tired of their long run, and at the approach of night held a council to conſider how they might hide themſelves. They did not think themſelves ſafe enough in the open fields, ſo they reſolved to ſlip into a lonely village that had juſt fallen in their way, for they very ſagaciouſly judged that all the men had gone out to join the Meiſſen camp. They proceeded, however, with great caution, and in order to obſerve the ſtricteſt incognito, the ſeven heroes agreed to take up their abode in an oven;—an oven indeed may not afford a weary traveller the moſt comfortable lodging; and before the battle at Lucka our travellers would ill have reliſhed ſuch quarters, for a thouſand herrings willlie
