rooms, and fastened securely to the wall or
pillars.

"Never put two prisoners together," Jethro said; "always remember
that. Tie one man up and you may keep him; tie up two and they are
sure to escape. They can bite through each other's cords, or untie the
knot with their teeth, or possibly even with their fingers."

"Now, what is the next thing to do?" Amuba asked.

"The next thing is to have a consultation. Do you, Chebron, go out
into the garden to the girls. Amuba and I will deal with the other
man."

As soon as Jethro and Amuba had left him Chebron rejoined the girls.

"You saved my life, Ruth. I shall never forget it."

"You saved me from the crocodile, my lord. It was but a push and he
fell. I scarce know how it was done."

"Your quickness saved my life all the same, Ruth. I had not noticed
him till you cried out, and then it would have been too late. We have
been anxious for you also, Ruth. We hoped that you might be with Mysa,
but none saw you go out with her."

"My place was with my mistress," Ruth said quietly. "And she was more
than a mistress--she was as a friend to me."

"But how came you here, Chebron," Mysa again asked, "and why are you
dressed up like a peasant woman? It is not seemly in any man, much
less in you, a priest. And Amuba and Jethro, too; they are dressed as
peasants, and their faces seem changed, I do not know how. They look
darker, and I should not have known them had I not recognized Jethro's
voice."

"It is a long story, dear, and I will tell you all presently; and we
want to hear your story too. Ah! here come the others. It is to them,
Mysa, far more than to me that you owe your rescue. I may know more of
the learning of our people, but I have none of the readiness and
coolness of Amuba, while Jethro is as prudent as he is brave. It would
have fared hardly with me as well as with you, Mysa, had it not been
for these good friends."

Mysa went up to them as they approached.

"Oh, Jethro! I feel how much I owe to you; and to you, Amuba. My
courage had all but given way, although Ruth strove so hard to give me
hope, and I fear I could not have long withstood the threats of that
bad man. You cannot tell what joy I felt when I recognized your
voice."

"Our joy was as great in finding you as yours in seeing us," Jethro
replied. "Amuba and I would gladly have laid down our lives for you.
And now let us have a consultation; there is much to decide upon and
arrange. Let us go r