ho on it have sunk the great Syrian galley and rescued
the woman--whom I love."

"Oath or no oath," broke in Benoni, bethinking him of what he had
promised in the past, "the life you saved is yours, and if I have my way
you shall take her and such of her heritage as remains."

"Is this a time to speak of such things?" said Miriam, looking up. "See
yonder," and she pointed to the scene in progress on the seashore. "They
drive our friends and servants into the sea and drown them," and once
more she began to weep.

Caleb sighed. "Cease from useless tears, Miriam. We have done our best
and it is the fortune of war. I dare not send out the boats again even
if the mariners would listen to my command. Nehushta, lead your lady to
the cabin and strip her of these wet garments lest she take cold in this
bitter wind. But first, Benoni, what is your mind?"

"To go to my cousin Mathias, the high priest at Jerusalem," answered the
old man, "who has promised to give me shelter if in these days any can
be found."

"Nay," broke in Nehushta, "sail for Egypt."

"Where also they massacre the Jews by thousands till the streets of
Alexandria run with their blood," replied Caleb with sarcasm; adding,
"Well, to Egypt I cannot take you who must bring this ship to those who
await her on this side of Joppa, whence I am summoned to Jerusalem."

"Whither and nowhere else I will go," said Benoni, "to share in my
nation's death or triumph. If Miriam wills it, I have told her she can
leave me."

"What I have said before I say again," replied Miriam, "that I will
never do."

Then Nehushta took her to the cabin, and presently the oars began to
beat and the great galley stood out of the harbour, till in the silence
of the sea the screams of the victims and the shouts of the victors died
away, and as night fell naught could be seen of Tyre but the flare from
the burning houses of the slaughtered Jews.

Save for the sobs and cries of the fugitives who had lost their friends
and goods the night passed in quiet, since, although it was winter, the
sea was calm and none pursued their ship. At daybreak she anchored,
and coming from the cabin with Nehushta, in the light of the rising sun
Miriam saw before her a ridge of rocks over which the water poured, and
beyond it a little bay backed by a desolate coast. Nehushta also saw and
sighed.

"What is this place?" asked Miriam.

"Lady, it is the spot where you were born. On yonder flat rock lay
the v