So Lot and his wife and their two daughters fled from the city; and the shower of fire came down to purify it. But when they were far out on the plain, Lot's wife, still loving her old home, turned back to look upon it. Too late the angels' words came back to her, "Look not behind thee." [Illustration: THE FLIGHT OF LOT.] Her feet were rooted to the spot; her voice refused to come; sight left her; sound was shut out; and in one instant she was changed to a pillar of salt. Then Lot and his two daughters hurried on. They reached a great cave, and ran and hid themselves in it. The city was now a blackened ruin. Lot's wealth was destroyed. He had no silver, no gold, no cattle, no home--only the cave, and grateful was he that he had even that. [Illustration: DEPARTURE OF HAGAR AND ISHMAEL.] HAGAR. Who can speak a mother's anguish, Painted in that tearless eye, Which beholds her darling languish, Languish, unrelieved, to die! It was not very long after the destruction of Sodom that there was born into the home of Abraham and Sarah a beautiful little baby boy--even as God had promised. There was great rejoicing among the people of Abraham's household. Feasts were held, sacrifices were offered up, and Abraham gave the child the name of Isaac. One of Sarah's maids, whose name was Hagar, had a son, too, called Ishmael. One day this boy mocked at Isaac, and Sarah said he and his mother must be sent away. So Abraham called Hagar and told her she must go, and he gave her some bread and a bottle of water, and sent her forth into the wilderness. [Illustration: HAGAR AND ISHMAEL IN THE DESERT.] Poor Hagar and her child sorrowfully set forth in the burning heat; but when all their water was gone, her little one began to droop; he grew weaker and weaker, and she thought he would die. She laid him in the shade and went away to weep. The mother could not bear to see her poor boy die. She looked above--the heavens shone still Unclouded, bright and clear; She listened but not fount nor rill Poured music on her ear. Thence once again her child she eyed-- His cheek wore death's pale hue; "Alas! and is it thus," she cried; "Doth God forsake me too, And with my earthly foes combine To work such ill for me and mine?" The Angel of God heard her and told her not to fear, but to take up Ishmael and hold him in her arms. Then she saw, all at once, a well near her; she gave the child a drink, and soon he grew strong and well. [Illustration: THE TRIAL OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH.] [Illustration] ISAAC. Isaac grew up a fine, healthy, noble boy loved by all his father's people; and to his, father and mother, now old people, he was their joy and life. Never a day passed that Abraham and Sarah did not offer thanks to God for their beautiful child. Most carefully they taught him the religion of his people, and bade him follow it all the days of his life.