and of
gentle blood among the nobility of Israel. She is in the bamboo
litter, Miriam is in the other.

"We are come from farthest Egypt, fifty of us in three barges," he
began. "To Syene have we been and all the Nilotic towns. To Nehapehu,
and even deep into the Great Oasis were messengers sent, for we would
not leave a single son of Abraham behind. And the masters surrendered
them to a man! Was it the face of Miriam or the fear of Moses or the
might of the Lord that tamed them? Hath Miriam a compelling glance, or
Moses a power that came not from Jehovah? Nay, not so. Praised be His
holy name!"

The mild Israelite clasped his hands and raised his eyes devoutly. But
fearful lest his pause might furnish an opportunity for Joshua's
escape, he continued at once:

"We were descending the Nile, below Memphis; the river sang and the
hills lifted up their voices. There was rejoicing in the meadows and
clapping of hands in the valleys. We possessed the gates of our
enemies and Mizraim sat upon the shores and wept after us.

"Below Masaarah, the darkness fell; the sun perished in the morning and
the stars were not summoned in the night, for the Lord had withdrawn
the lights of heaven. But His hand was upon the waters and His glory
stood about us and we feared not.

"And lo! there came a call upon Him from the shores to the east. The
barge of Miriam paused and from the land we succored an Israelitish
maiden. But when we would have moved on, she flung herself before
Miriam and besought her:

"'Depart not yet, for there is another.'

"'Of the chosen?' the prophetess asked.

"'Nay, an Egyptian, but better and above his kind.'

"'Of the faith?' Miriam asked further. And the maiden faltered and
said, 'Nay, not yet--but worthy and kindly.'

"But the prophetess bade the men at the poles to continue, saying:
'Shall we cheat Jehovah in his intent and rescue an oppressor?'

"But the maiden clung about the knees of Miriam and prayed to her,
while the prophetess said, 'Nay, nay' and 'Peace,' and sought to soothe
her, and when at that moment some one called out of the darkness, she
put her hand over the maiden's mouth and would not let her answer. And
the barge went swiftly away. Then the maiden fell on her face, like
one dead, and she will not be comforted."

Joshua drew himself into securer, position on the camel and shook its
harness.

"Love!" he said with a frown. "The evilest tie and the strongest
betw