"Hold! stand! who are ye, and whither go ye?" was the stern challenge, the sound of which startled Zarah out of a pleasant dream. The motion of the litter suddenly ceased, a strong hand was on the bridle2 of the horse which Lycidas was riding, a weapon was pointed3 at the breast of the Greek. There was not yet sufficient light to enable him to distinguish whether those who thus arrested the further progress of the party were Syrians or Hebrews.
"We are quiet travellers," said the Athenian; "let us pursue our journey in peace. If gold be your object, I will give it."
"If we want your gold we can take it," cried the leader of the band that now surrounded the litter. "Are you a follower4 of Antiochus Epiphanes?"
"No," replied Lycidas boldly. To speak the simple truth is ever the manliest5, and in this instance it also proved the safest course to pursue. The grasp on the Greek's bridle was relaxed, the point of the weapon was lowered, and in a more courteous6 tone the leader inquired, "Are you then a friend of Judas Maccabeus?"
"May he be given the necks of his enemies!" exclaimed Joab, before Lycidas had time to reply. "It is his kinswoman whom we are taking in this litter to Bethsura, that we may put her in safety out of reach of the tyrant7 who has sworn to slay8 her because she will not burn incense9 to his idol10!"
"What, the lady Hadassah?" asked one of the men.
"No, it is more than six months since that Mother in Israel departed to Abraham's bosom," replied Joab, lowering his tone.
An exclamation11 of regret burst from more than one of those who surrounded the litter, and he who had first spoken observed, "These will be sorry tidings for Maccabeus and his brethren."
Lycidas now addressed a Hebrew who appeared to be of superior condition to the others. "In this litter," he said, "is the grand-daughter of the lady Hadassah. She is fleeing from persecution12, and seeks an asylum13 in the home of an aged14 relative who dwells near Bethsura."
"Ah! Rachel the widow; we know her well," was the reply.
"Then you can guide this lady to her abode15."
"Guide her into the wolf's den1!" exclaimed the Hebrew; and one of his companions added with a laugh, "The only way to reach Rachel's dwelling16 from hence is over the corpses17 of defeated Syrians, as mayhap we shall do ere to-morrow."
Alarmed at finding that he had conducted Zarah to the scene of an expected deadly conflict, Lycidas inquired with anxiety, "Where then can the lady and her attendant find shelter and protection?"
"For protection, she has all that our swords can give--our fate must be her fate," replied the Hebrew whom the Greek had addressed. "As for shelter, there is a goatherd's hut hard by. Some of our men have passed the night there, though our leader slept on the ground."
There was some whispering amongst the Hebrews, and Lycidas caught the words, uttered in a half-jesting tone, "An awkward matter for Maccabeus to have this his fair kinswoman coming on the eve of a battle on which the fate of Judah depends."
"I pray you show us this hut at once," said the Greek, annoyed at Zarah's being exposed to such observations, and impatient to remove her as soon as possible to a place of as much retirement18 as could be found in the camping-ground of an army. "The lady has travelled all night, and is weary."
"I will lead her to the hut," said one of the Hebrews; "and do you, Saul," he continued, addressing a companion, "go at once and announce to our prince the lady's arrival."
Again the litter of Zarah moved onwards, and the weary horses were guided to a hut at no great distance. One of the Jewish soldiers ran on before to give notice, that the dwelling might be vacated of its warlike occupants, and put into such order for the reception of a lady as circumstances and haste would permit. The Hebrews who had passed the frosty night under the roof of the goatherd's dwelling, quitted it at once to make room for the lady and her handmaid, leaving a portion of their simple breakfast for the newly-arrived guests.
A homely19 care occupied the mind of Zarah on her way to the hut.
"Anna," she said to her attendant, "we are much beholden to Joab, and I have no shekels wherewith to pay for the hire of the litter and horses, or to requite20 him for his faithful service. It is not meet that the Lord Lycidas should be at charges for me. Let Joab speak to me when I quit the litter, or do you give him this jewel from me."
The jewel was a massive silver bracelet21, which had been worn by the unhappy Pollux. Zarah had selected this from the other ornaments22 which had belonged to her parents, on account of the weight of metal which it contained. There was also something heathenish in the fashion of the bracelet itself, which made the Hebrew maiden23 care not to keep it as a remembrance of her father.
"Joab is not here," said Anna, glancing from between the curtains; "he has given up the guidance of the horses to one of the Hebrew warriors24."
Joab had in fact gone off with Saul, being eager to be the first to carry to Judas Maccabeus intelligence of what had occurred in Jerusalem since they had parted beside the martyrs25' grave, and especially of the momentous26 events which had occurred in the family of Hadassah.
"If I cannot see Joab himself," observed Zarah, "I must ask the Lord Lycidas to find him and do this my errand, for the muleteer must not go unrewarded by me."
Accordingly, after the maiden, assisted by Lycidas, had descended27 from her litter, and explored with Anna the goatherd's abode, she bashfully asked her protector to execute for her this little commission, and with the heavy silver bracelet requite her obligation to Joab. "To yourself," added Zarah with downcast eyes, "I can proffer28 but heartfelt thanks."
The spirits of Lycidas had risen: with him, as with nature, the gloom of night was now succeeded by the brilliance29 of morning. The rebound30 of a mind lately weighed down with intense anxiety and the pressure of heavy responsibility was so great that it seemed as if every care were flung off for ever. Lycidas had accomplished31 his dangerous mission; he had placed his beloved charge under the care of her relatives; and he felt assured that her heart was his own. The clang of martial32 preparation which he now heard around him was as music to the ardent33 spirit of the Greek. He was now going to join in a brave struggle under a heroic commander, to deserve Zarah, and then to win her! The heart of the gallant34 young Athenian beat high with hope.
"Nay35, Zarah," said Lycidas gaily36, in reply to the maiden's words; "I may one day claim from you something better than thanks. As for the bracelet, rest assured that I will well requite faithful Joab; he shall be no loser if I keep the jewel in pledge, and never part with it, save to my bride." Lycidas clasped the bracelet on his arm, as with a proud and joyous37 step he quitted the goatherd's hut.
"Stay, Lycidas," expostulated Zarah, following him over the threshold; but then arresting her steps, and watching his receding38 form for a moment with a smile as radiant as his own. "How could he fear a rival!" was the thought flitting through Zarah's mind as she gazed. She then turned to re-enter the hut, and saw before her--Judas Maccabeus!
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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manliest
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| manly（有男子气概的）的最高级形式 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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25
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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30
rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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35
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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38
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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