thy weapons hew out bloody paths broadly [through the
foe], regain the booty, and fell the warriors. They were
encamped by the way: nor could the withdrawing army
prevail in hand-to-hand conflict, but God put it to flight, 2115
who with His own hands preserved thee with thy warriors
in the fight, against the terror of superior numbers, and
[so likewise] the sacred pledge [preserved thee] which thou
rightfully holdest with the Keeper of the skies."

With his own hand the hero gave him a return for this 2120
blessing, and Abraham bestowed upon the bishop of God
the value of every tenth part of the army's booty. Then
spoke the war-king, ruler of Sodoma, bereft of his people,
to Abraham, (to him mercy was needful): 2125

"Give me back the maidens of my people, whom thou
by the might of thy army hast snatched from the deadly
bonds of the foe. Keep thou the wrought gold which
formerly was the property of our people, [keep] the 2130
herds and the treasure. Only let me lead back again
in freedom, to their hearths and desolated homes, the
children of the people, the wives and boys and wretched
widows. The young men, my companions, who should have 2135
held the borders with me, are dead, [all] but a very few."

Then Abraham answered him straightway, in the pres-
ence of the chieftains exalted in valor, power, and vic-
tory, and nobly said:

"Ruler of the people, I pledge to thee this my word, 2140