high esteem among them. As for Mysa, she
seems to think only of her father. The Hebrew girl is a great comfort
to her, for while the example of their mistress and the shouts of the
populace have terribly scared the other maids, and they go about the
house in fear and trembling, Ruth is quiet and self-contained as if
she were again in her quiet cottage with her grandfather. She greatly
comforts and sustains Mysa, and Ameres said to me only this morning
that Mysa was fortunate indeed in that Chebron had furnished her with
so brave and steadfast a companion at a time like this."

On the evening of the fifth day Jethro came suddenly in at the house.
The boys started to their feet as he entered, for they saw at once
that something terrible had happened. His face was stained with blood,
his breath came short, for he had run for the six intervening miles
between the farm and the city at the top of his speed.

"Quick, my lord!" he said, "there is not a moment to lose. The whole
matter has been discovered, and ere long they will be here in pursuit
of you."

"What of my father?" Chebron exclaimed.

"I will tell you all about it afterward, Chebron. There is no time for
talking now, his orders must be instantly carried out. Where are the
fellows who are spying over you?"

"One of them is probably seated outside at the entrance to the farm.
You must have passed him as you entered," Amuba replied. "I have not
seen more than one at a time since they first came."

"Take up your arms and follow me," Jethro said, taking a heavy staff
from the corner of the room, and, followed by the lads, he went
outside the gate.

It was now getting dark, and as they passed out a man standing near
approached as if to see who they were. Without a word Jethro sprang
forward and brought down the staff with tremendous force upon his
head, and he fell without a cry upon the road.

"There is no fear of his giving the alarm," Jethro said grimly, and
set off in a run in the direction of the city at a pace that taxed the
powers of Chebron to keep up with. Once or twice as he ran the boy
gasped out a question as to his father's safety, but Jethro did not
appear to hear him, but kept on at a steady pace.

Presently he stopped suddenly and listened. A vague, confused sound
was heard in front of them, and Jethro quitted the road and took his
course over the fields. Amuba heard the sound increase, and was
presently conscious that a crowd of people were pas