eap of bronze and iron weapons, shields and
other pieces of Eastern armour, while in a recess lay piled in a
confused heap many Phoenician ornaments of gold, silver, and bronze,
similar to those which were worn by the warriors and chief men of King
Hudibras' court. It was, in fact, the stock in trade of the Hebrew--the
fount at which he replenished his travelling pack; a pack which was a
great mystery to most of his friends, for, however much they might
purchase out of it, there seemed to be no end to its inexhaustible power
of reproduction.

"Here," said Beniah, amused at the girl's gaze of astonishment, "ye will
be safe from all your foes till a Higher Power directs us what shall be
done with you, for, to say truth, at this moment my mind is a blank.
However, our present duty is not action but concealment. Water and
dried fruit you will find in this corner. Keep quiet. Let not
curiosity tempt you to examine these things--they might fall and cause
noise that would betray us. When danger is past, I will come again.
Meanwhile, observe now what I am about to do, and try to imitate me."

He returned to the entrance, and, taking up the plank-bridge, drew it
into the passage, guiding its outer end on a slight branch, which seemed
to have fallen across the chasm accidentally, but which in reality had
been placed there for this purpose. Then, sliding it out again, he
refixed it in position.

"Is that too hard for you? Try."

Branwen obeyed, and succeeded so well, that old Beniah commended her on
her aptitude to learn.

"Now be careful," he added, when about to re-cross the bridge. "Your
life may depend on your attention to my instructions."

"But what if I should let the plank slip?" said she in sudden anxiety.

"There is another in the cave on the floor. Besides, I have two or
three planks in the forest ready against such a mishap. Fear not, but
commit yourself to the All-seeing One."

He crossed over alone, leaving the girl on the other side, and waited
till she had withdrawn the bridge, when he returned to the mouth of the
outer cave, and sat down to continue the perusal of his roll. Branwen
meanwhile returned to the inner cave, or store, and sat down to meditate
on thoughts which had been awakened by the Hebrew's reference to the
All-seeing One. She wondered if there was an All-seeing One at all,
and, if there was, did He see all the wickedness that was done by men--
ay, and even by women! and did He s