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	Memoirs of Moses Part 2- I run away from Egypt
When I was in my late thirties, the princess died. She had been the real power behind the throne for as long as I could remember. As I was her favourite son, she ensured that no harm came to me even though her natural son, and her grandson who by this time was Pharaoh, hated me - as did many in the priesthood because I had adopted the Hebrew religion. For some years I had tried to make life easier for the Hebrews, although they were badly treated by others. Then one day, just after my 40th birthday, there was the event which was the turning point of my life. I was walking through the town when I saw an Egyptian guard whipping a slave. I ordered him to stop, but he simply turned round and said he would not take orders from a "Hebrew pig". This made me angry and I took the whip from him. Then he drew his sword and in defence I had to draw mine. We fought and since I was the better trained swordsman I killed him. It was not my intention to do so but it happened. This was just the opportunity that the Pharaoh was waiting for. He ordered my arrest and execution for murder, but my friends in court warned me of his order and helped me to escape from Avaris. The Pharaoh had all the roads from Egypt guarded so I set out over the desert towards Arabia as the only possible escape route. On that side of Egypt there is a maze of dry river beds called "Wadis" where a man can easily throw off his pursuers, and just as easily get lost! Eventually I struggled through this region and came across a well in the land of Midian. It is my belief that God guarded me and guided me through that terrible region though I was not aware of it at the time, and in fact nearly died of thirst and hunger. At this well an important event took place, important that is for my future. While I was resting after having a good drink and washing some of the dust off my body, seven sisters came to draw water, and water their flocks of sheep. Some shepherds then appeared and tried to drive the girls away because they regarded the well as theirs. I felt prompted to take the side of the girls, and stepped forward to remonstrate with the men. Something in my voice, perhaps as a result of my years of commanding the Egyptian army, caused the men to stop chasing the girls away and instead they themselves ran away. The girls then took me home to their father, Raguel (also called Jethro), who, I was surprised to find, was the high priest of the Midianites. He welcomed me, and eventually adopted me as his son, allowing me to marry Zipporah, one of his daughters. Thus began the next 40 years of my life.... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *