ss multitude marching in unending companies. See how the
light glitters on their spears! Surely the god of the Hebrews is afoot."

"He, or some other god, or no god at all, who knows? Come, Ana, let us
be going if we would reach that camp ere dark."

So we descended from the ridge, and re-entering the chariot, drove on
towards the neck of the pass. Now this neck was very narrow, not more
than four paces wide for a certain distance, and, on either side of
the roadway were tumbled sandstone boulders, between which grew desert
plants, and gullies that had been cut by storm-water, while beyond these
rose the sides of the mountain. Here the horses went at a walk towards a
turn in the path, at which point the land began to fall again.

When we were about half a spear's throw from this turn of a sudden I
heard a sound and, glancing to the right, perceived a woman leaping down
the hillside towards us. The charioteer saw also and halted the horses,
and the two runner guards turned and drew their swords. In less than
half a minute the woman had reached us, coming out of the shadow so that
the light fell upon her face.

"Merapi!" exclaimed the Prince and I, speaking as though with one
breath.

Merapi it was indeed, but in evil case. Her long hair had broken loose
and fell about her, the cloak she wore was torn, and there were blood
and foam upon her lips. She stood gasping, since speak she could not for
breathlessness, supporting herself with one hand upon the side of the
chariot and with the other pointing to the bend in the road. At last a
word came, one only. It was:

"Murder!"

"She means that she is going to be murdered," said the Prince to me.

"No," she panted, "you--you! The Hebrews. Go back!"

"Turn the horses!" I cried to the charioteer.

He began to obey helped by the two guards, but because of the narrowness
of the road and the steepness of the banks this was not easy. Indeed
they were but half round in such fashion that they blocked the pathway
from side to side, when a wild yell of 'Jahveh' broke upon our ears,
and from round the bend, a few paces away, rushed a horde of fierce,
hook-nosed men, brandishing knives and swords. Scarcely was there time
for us to leap behind the shelter of the chariot and make ready, when
they were on us.

"Hearken," I said to the charioteer as they came, "run as you never ran
before, and bring up the guard behind!"

He sprang away like an arrow.

"Get back, Lady," cried S