eerfully resign to you the
office of commander, which you, trained in many wars, would be better
suited to fill than I, who hitherto have ruled only my flocks and
shepherds. But you, Miriam, I charge to remember that this heap of
stones will also be a witness of the colloquy you are to hold with this
man in the presence of God. I remind you of the reproving words you
heard beneath this tree from the lips of his father, and call God to
witness that I would have darkened the life of my son Uri, who is the
joy of my heart, with a father's curse if he had gone among the people
to induce them to favor the message he brought; for it would have turned
those of little faith from their God. Remember this, maiden, and let me
say again:

"If you seek me you will find me, and the door I opened will remain open
to you, whatever may happen!"

With these words Hur turned his back upon Miriam and the warrior.

Neither knew what had befallen them, but he who during the long ride
beset by many a peril had yearned with ardent anticipations for the hour
which was to once more unite him to the object of his love, gazed on the
ground full of bewilderment and profound anxiety, while Miriam who, at
his approach, had been ready to bestow upon him the highest, sweetest
gifts with which a loving woman rewards fidelity and love, had sunk to
the earth before the ominous pile of stones close beside the tree and
pressed her forehead against its gnarled, hollow trunk.

CHAPTER XV.

For a long time nothing was heard beneath the sycamore save Miriam's low
moans and the impatient footsteps of the warrior who, while struggling
for composure, did not venture to disturb her.

He could not yet understand what had suddenly towered like a mountain
between him and the object of his love.

He had learned from Hur's words that his father and Moses rejected all
mediation, yet the promises he was bearing to the people seemed to him
a merciful gift from the Most High. None of his race yet knew it and,
if Moses was the man whom he believed him to be, the Lord must open
his eyes and show him that he had chosen him, Hosea, to lead the people
through his mediation to a fairer future; nor did he doubt that He could
easily win his father over to his side. He would even have declared a
second time, with the firmest faith, that it was the Most High who had
pointed out his path, and after reflecting upon all this he approached
Miriam, who had at last risen, wit