advice to you--that you go straight to Egypt, where there are
many Christians who will protect you for a while. Thence your mistress
can write to her father, and if he will receiver her, return. If not, at
least she will be safe, since no writ of Herod runs in Alexandria, and
there they do not love the Jews."

"Your counsel seems good," said Nehushta, "if she will consent to it."

"She must consent who, indeed, is in no case to make other plans. Now
let me go. Before nightfall I will return again with food and clothing,
and lead you to the ship."

Nehushta hesitated.

"I say to you, do not fear. Will you not trust me?"

"Yes," answered Nehushta, "because I must. Nay, the words are not kind,
but we are sadly placed, and it is strange to find a true friend in one
whom I have threatened with a knife."

"I understand," said Amram gravely. "Let the issue prove me. Now descend
that you may lock the door behind me. When I return I will stand in
the open space yonder with a slave, making pretence to re-bind a burst
bundle of merchandise. Then come down and admit me without fear."

When the Phoenician had gone Nehushta sat by her sleeping mistress, and
waited with an anxious heart. Had she done wisely? Would Amram betray
them and send soldiers to conduct them, not to the ship, but to some
dreadful death? Well, if so, at least she would have time to kill her
mistress and herself, and thus escape the cruelties of men. Meanwhile
she could only pray; and pray she did in her fierce, half-savage
fashion, never for herself, but for her mistress whom she loved, and for
the child that, she remembered thankfully, Anna had foretold would be
born and live out its life. Then she remembered also that this same holy
woman had said that its mother's hours would be few, and at the thought
Nehushta wept.

CHAPTER IV

THE BIRTH OF MIRIAM

The time passed slowly, but none came to disturb them. Three hours after
noon Rachel awoke, refreshed but hungry, and Nehushta had no food to
give her except raw grain, from which she turned. Clearly and in few
words she told her mistress all that had passed, asking her consent to
the plan.

"It seems good as another," said Rachel with a little sigh, "and I thank
you for making it, Nou, and the Phoenician, if he is a true man. Also I
do not desire to meet my father--at least, for many years. How can I,
seeing the evil which he has brought upon me?"

"Do not speak of that," interrupted Nehushta