tered in a half-jesting tone, "An awkward matter for Maccabeus
to have this his fair kinswoman coming on the eve of a battle on which
the fate of Judah depends."

"I pray you show us this hut at once," said the Greek, annoyed at
Zarah's being exposed to such observations, and impatient to remove her
as soon as possible to a place of as much retirement as could be found
in the camping-ground of an army. "The lady has travelled all night,
and is weary."

"I will lead her to the hut," said one of the Hebrews; "and do you,
Saul," he continued, addressing a companion, "go at once and announce
to our prince the lady's arrival."

Again the litter of Zarah moved onwards, and the weary horses were
guided to a hut at no great distance. One of the Jewish soldiers ran
on before to give notice, that the dwelling might be vacated of its
warlike occupants, and put into such order for the reception of a lady
as circumstances and haste would permit. The Hebrews who had passed
the frosty night under the roof of the goatherd's dwelling, quitted it
at once to make room for the lady and her handmaid, leaving a portion
of their simple breakfast for the newly-arrived guests.

A homely care occupied the mind of Zarah on her way to the hut.

"Anna," she said to her attendant, "we are much beholden to Joab, and I
have no shekels wherewith to pay for the hire of the litter and horses,
or to requite him for his faithful service. It is not meet that the
Lord Lycidas should be at charges for me. Let Joab speak to me when I
quit the litter, or do you give him this jewel from me."

The jewel was a massive silver bracelet, which had been worn by the
unhappy Pollux. Zarah had selected this from the other ornaments which
had belonged to her parents, on account of the weight of metal which it
contained. There was also something heathenish in the fashion of the
bracelet itself, which made the Hebrew maiden care not to keep it as a
remembrance of her father.

"Joab is not here," said Anna, glancing from between the curtains; "he
has given up the guidance of the horses to one of the Hebrew warriors."

Joab had in fact gone off with Saul, being eager to be the first to
carry to Judas Maccabeus intelligence of what had occurred in Jerusalem
since they had parted beside the martyrs' grave, and especially of the
momentous events which had occurred in the family of Hadassah.

"If I cannot see Joab himself," observed Zarah, "I must ask the Lord
Ly