for the proposed journey were
speedily made. The horse-litter in which Zarah had travelled to
Bethsura would avail for the accommodation of both the ladies on her
return to the city. The faithful Joab would resume his office of
attendant, and Anna join company with the handmaidens of Rachel. It
was under joyful auspices that the travellers would set forth on their
way to the city of David.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

THE VICTOR'S RETURN.

Is there a more glorious, a more soul-stirring sight than that of a
brave nation bursting from foreign bondage, casting from her the chains
that bound and the sackcloth that covered her, rising victorious and
free--free to worship the one God in purity and truth? Even so, when
the shadow of the eclipse is over, the moon bursts forth into
brightness, to shine again in beauty in the firmament of heaven.

It was thus with Jerusalem when Maccabeus and his followers went up to
the holy city which they had delivered, through God's blessing on their
arms. The town was in a delirium of joy, which there was now no need
to conceal. The voice of thanksgiving and rejoicing was heard in every
street; women wept for very happiness; and while the younger
inhabitants made the walls ring with their shouts, the old men blessed
God that they had been spared to see such a day. The advanced season
forbade any profusion of flowers; but on every side palm branches were
waving, doors and windows were decked with evergreens, and goodly
boughs were strewed in the way. Every trace of heathenism was eagerly
destroyed in the streets, and the very children fiercely trampled under
foot the fragments of idol or altar.

Again was the song of Miriam heard, "Sing ye unto the Lord, for He hath
triumphed gloriously;" and women went forth with timbrels to welcome
the warriors of Judah. Though it was the month of Casleu,[1] the sun
shone with cheerful radiance and warmth, as if Nature herself shared in
the general rejoicing.

Up Mount Zion they come, the brave, the true, the devout; they who
through much tribulation have kept the faith; they who have never bowed
the knee to idol, nor forsaken the covenant of God. Maccabeus is
foremost now in glory as once in danger. Press ye to see him, children
of Judah! shout to welcome him, sons of the free!

A group of matrons and maidens surrounded the entrance to the Temple.
Zarah and Rachel were amongst them.

"You should stand foremost, my daughter, to greet the c