ep, the exhaustion of
yesterday's conflict, are sapping your strength," observed Simon
gravely. "Judas, you are unfit to encounter the toils of the long
march now before us."

"I was never more ready--never more impatient for a march," said
Maccabeus, rising abruptly, for it seemed to him as if violent physical
exertions alone could render life endurable.

"I marvel," said Eleazar, "if our graceful young proselyte will bear
hardships as bravely as he has proved that he can encounter danger.
Methinks he shows amongst our grim warriors as a marble column from
Solomon's palace amongst the rough oaks that clothe the hill-side. If
Lycidas is to be--"

"He is to be--the husband of Zarah," interrupted Maccabeus. His voice
sounded strange and harsh, and he turned away his face as he spoke.

"The husband of Zarah!" re-echoed Eleazar in amazement; "why"--Simon's
warning pressure on the young man's arm prevented his uttering more.
The brothers exchanged significant glances. That was the last time
that the name of Zarah was ever breathed by either of them in the
hearing of Maccabeus.

Zarah found that her residence in her new home would be but a brief
one, and that she was likely to return to Jerusalem far sooner than she
could have anticipated when she had set out on her night journey so
short a time before. Rachel--a woman who, though well stricken in
years, had lost none of the energy and enthusiasm of youth--was filled
with triumphant joy at the victory of Bethsura, and declared to Zarah
her intention of starting for the city in advance of the army.

"I have a vow upon me--a solemn vow," said the old Jewess to the
maiden. "Long have I mourned over the desolation of Zion; and I have
promised to the Lord that if ever holy sacrifices should again be
offered up in the Temple at Jerusalem, my heifer, my fair white heifer,
should be the first peace-offering. I have vowed also to go up myself
to the holy city, and make there with my own hands wafers anointed with
oil, to eat with the sacrifice of thanksgiving. The time for keeping
my vow has arrived. We will go up together, my daughter, and my
bondsman shall drive the white heifer before us. My soul cannot depart
in peace till I have looked upon the sanctuary in which my ancestors
worshipped, and with a thankful heart have performed this my vow to the
Lord."

Zarah made no opposition to the wishes of her relative, which, indeed,
coincided with her own. Arrangements