daughter"--here his hard face softened--"but let be, let be! Look you,
the risk is great, but what I can do I will do to save her, and you
also, friend, since, Libyan or no, you are a faithful woman. Nay, do not
doubt me. I have given my word, and if I break it willingly, then may I
perish and be devoured of dogs. My ship is small and undecked. In that
she shall not sail, but a big galley weighs for Alexandria to-night,
calling at Apollonia and Joppa, and in it I will take you passages,
saying that the lady is a relative of mine and that you are her slave.
This is my advice to you--that you go straight to Egypt, where there are
many Christians who will protect you for a while. Thence your mistress
can write to her father, and if he will receiver her, return. If not, at
least she will be safe, since no writ of Herod runs in Alexandria, and
there they do not love the Jews."

"Your counsel seems good," said Nehushta, "if she will consent to it."

"She must consent who, indeed, is in no case to make other plans. Now
let me go. Before nightfall I will return again with food and clothing,
and lead you to the ship."

Nehushta hesitated.

"I say to you, do not fear. Will you not trust me?"

"Yes," answered Nehushta, "because I must. Nay, the words are not kind,
but we are sadly placed, and it is strange to find a true friend in one
whom I have threatened with a knife."

"I understand," said Amram gravely. "Let the issue prove me. Now descend
that you may lock the door behind me. When I return I will stand in