who was beginning on Judah. "I will look to thy work." The man
crossed his left hand to his right shoulder and hastened away.

One by one nine Israelites dropped out of line as Atsu numbered them
and returned to camp. He touched the tenth.

"Name?" the scribe asked.

"Deborah," was the reply.

Meanwhile Atsu walked rapidly down the line to Rachel. The Hebrews
fell out as he passed, and the relief on the faces of one or two was
mingled with astonishment. He paused before the girl, hesitating.
Words did not rise readily to his lips at any time; at this moment he
was especially at loss.

"Thou canst abide here, in perfect security--with me," he said at last.
She shook her head. "I thank thee, my good master."

"For thy sake, not mine own, I would urge thee," he continued with an
unnatural steadiness. "Thou canst accept of me the safety of marriage.
Nothing more shall I offer--or demand."

The color rushed over the girl's face, but he went on evenly.

"A part go to Silsilis, another to Syene, a third to Masaarah. If
thine insulter asks concerning thy whereabouts I shall not trouble
myself to remember. But what shall keep him from searching for
thee--and are there any like to defend thee, if he find thee, seeing I
am not there? And even if thou art securely hidden, thou hast never