[Pearl-Maiden by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link book
Pearl-Maiden

CHAPTER XIX
18/21

As well might a stork go out and call upon a frog.

But that old slave-woman, who has tended on me and you, she is cunning in her way, and if I promised to set her at liberty should she succeed, well, perhaps she might succeed.
Stay, I will summon her," and he left the tent.
Some minutes later he returned, bringing the slave with him.
"I have explained the matter to this woman, Miriam," he said, "and I think that she understands, and can prove to any who are willing to visit you, that they will have a free pass in to and out of the camp, and need fear no harm.

Tell her, then, where she is to go and whom she must seek." So Miriam told the woman, saying, "Tell any Essene whom you can find that she who is called their Queen, bids his presence, and if he asks more, give him this word--'The sun rises.' Tell any Christian whom you can find that Miriam, their sister, seeks his aid, and if he asks more, give him this word--'The dawn comes.' Do you understand ?" "I understand," answered the woman.
"Then go," said Gallus, "and be back by nightfall, remembering that if you fail, in place of liberty you travel to Rome, whence you will return no more." "My lord, I go," answered the woman, beating her forehead with her hand and bowing herself from their presence.
By nightfall she was back again with the tidings that no Christians seemed to be left in Tyre; all had fled to Pella, or elsewhere.

Of the Essenes, however, she had found one, a minor brother of the name of Samuel, who, on hearing that Miriam was the captive, and receiving the watchword, said that he would visit the camp after dark, although he greatly feared that this might be some snare set to catch him.
After dark he came accordingly, and was led by the old woman, who waited outside to meet him, to the tent where Miriam sat with Gallus.

This Samuel proved to be a brother of the lowest order of the Essenes, whom, although he knew of her, Miriam had never seen.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books