cidas to find him and do this my errand, for the muleteer must not go
unrewarded by me."

Accordingly, after the maiden, assisted by Lycidas, had descended from
her litter, and explored with Anna the goatherd's abode, she bashfully
asked her protector to execute for her this little commission, and with
the heavy silver bracelet requite her obligation to Joab. "To
yourself," added Zarah with downcast eyes, "I can proffer but heartfelt
thanks."

The spirits of Lycidas had risen: with him, as with nature, the gloom
of night was now succeeded by the brilliance of morning. The rebound
of a mind lately weighed down with intense anxiety and the pressure of
heavy responsibility was so great that it seemed as if every care were
flung off for ever. Lycidas had accomplished his dangerous mission; he
had placed his beloved charge under the care of her relatives; and he
felt assured that her heart was his own. The clang of martial
preparation which he now heard around him was as music to the ardent
spirit of the Greek. He was now going to join in a brave struggle
under a heroic commander, to deserve Zarah, and then to win her! The
heart of the gallant young Athenian beat high with hope.

"Nay, Zarah," said Lycidas gaily, in reply to the maiden's words; "I
may one day claim from you something better than thanks. As for the
bracelet, rest assured that I will well requite faithful Joab; he shall
be no loser if I keep the jewel in pledge, and never part with it, save
to my bride." Lycidas clasped the bracelet on his arm, as with a proud
and joyous step he quitted the goatherd's hut.

"Stay, Lycidas," expostulated Zarah, following him over the threshold;
but then arresting her steps, and watching his receding form for a
moment with a smile as radiant as his own. "How could he fear a
rival!" was the thought flitting through Zarah's mind as she gazed.
She then turned to re-enter the hut, and saw before her--Judas
Maccabeus!

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE LEADER AND THE MAN.

In the unsettled state of the Holy Land, where its brave sons had to
maintain a kind of guerrilla warfare against the powerful enemy who
held its strongholds and ruled in its capital--where communication
between places not far remote from each other was difficult and
dangerous, and a written letter was a thing almost unknown--the
Asmonean brothers had been in ignorance of many events which have
occupied a large space in these pages. Joab, therefore, on