e place on her brow that the
taskmaster's lips had touched. The keen eyes of the old Israelite saw
the motion and understood it.

"It is not Atsu," she said astutely.

"Nay," the girl protested, "and yet it is Atsu, in mine own meaning, or
any one in Egypt who is fair to Israel. The grace of that one would be
sufficient in God's sight to save all Egypt from doom. That was my
meaning."

The light in the frame quarters of the taskmaster was extinguished and
at that moment a shadowy figure emerged from the dark and approached
the pair.

"A courier from Mesu speaketh without the camp, even now," the visiting
Israelite said in a half-whisper. "Atsu hath put out his light, to
sleep, but even if he sleep not, the people may go without fear and
listen to the speaker. Come ye and give him audience."

"We come," Deborah replied.

As the old woman and her ward walked down through the night in the
direction taken by the entire population of the quarries, Deborah said
quietly:

"Thy cloud of depression hath rifted somewhat since sunset, daughter."

Rachel pressed her hand repentantly.

At the side of an open space, now closely filled with sitting
listeners, stood a Hebrew, not older than thirty-five. A knot of
flaming pitch, stuck in a crevice of rock near him, lighted his face
and figure. His frame had the characteristic stalwart structure of the
Israelitish bondman. The black hair waved back from a placid white
forehead; the eyes were serene and level, the mouth rather wide but
firm, the jaw square. The beard would have been light for a much
younger man, and it was soft, red-brown and curling. It added a
mildness and tenderness to the face. Whoever looked upon him was
impressed with the unflinching piety of the countenance.

This was Caleb the Faithful, son of Jephunneh, the Kenezite.

He was talking when Rachel and her ancient guardian entered the hollow,
and he continued in a passive tone throughout the several arrivals
thereafter. He spoke as one that believes unfalteringly and has
evidence for the faith. He did not recount Israel's wrongs--he would
have worked against his purpose had he wrought his hearers into an
angry mood. Besides, the story would have been superfluous. None knew
Israel's wrongs better than Israel.

He talked of redemption and Canaan.

CHAPTER XI

HEBREW CRAFT

When Mentu returned from On a light had kindled in his eyes and his
stately step had grown elastic. The m