that, before midnight, there, in that broken vessel upon a barren coast
where no man seemed to live, a daughter was born to her.

"Let me see the child," said Rachel. So Nehushta showed it to her by the
light of a lamp which burned in the cabin.

It was a small child, but very white, with blue eyes and dark hair that
curled. Rachel gazed at it long and tenderly. Then she said, "Bring me
water while there is yet time."

When the water was brought she dipped her trembling hand into it, and
made the sign of the Cross upon the babe's forehead, baptising her with
the name of Miriam, after that of her own mother, to the service and the
company of Jesus the Christ.

"Now," she said, "whether she live an hour or an hundred years, this
child is a Christian, and whatever befalls, should she come to the age
of understanding, see to it, Nou, who are henceforth the foster-mother
of her body and her soul, that she does not forget the rites and duties
of her faith. Lay this charge on her also as her father commanded, and
as I command, that should she be moved to marriage, she wed none who is
not a Christian. Tell her that such was the will of those who begat her,
and that if she be obedient to it, although they are dead, and as it
seems strengthless, yet shall their blessing be upon her all her life's
days, and with it the blessing of the Lord she serves."

"Oh!" moaned Nehushta, "why do you speak thus?"

"Because I am dying. Gainsay me not. I know it well. My life ebbs from
me. My prayers have been answered, and I was preserved to give this