At this moment some one over near the western limits of the camp cried out a welcome; a commotion arose, noisy with cheers and rapid with running.  Presently it died down and the pair before the tent saw a horseman ride through the gloom toward the empty frame house of the overseer.

The two women lapsed immediately into their absorbed communion again.

“Lay it not to Egypt alone, but to all the offenders against Jehovah.  Midian and Amalek, passing through to do homage to the Pharaoh, sneer at Israel; Babylon in her chariot of gold flicks her whip at the sons of Abraham as she bears her gifts of sisterhood to Memphis.  We suffer not only the insults of a single nation, but despiteful use by all idolaters.  Let but the world gather before Jehovah’s altar and there shall be no more affronts to Israel.”

“Must we bide that time?” Rachel asked.  “Or shall we bring it about?”

“Nay,” Deborah replied scornfully.  “Even my mystic eyes are not potent enough to see so far into the future.  We throw off the bondage sooner than thou dreamest, daughter of Judah, but if the nations bow at the altar of Jehovah, it will take a stronger hand than Israel’s to bring them there.”

After a silence Rachel murmured, as though to herself:  “We shall go, and soon, and leave no debt behind.  Will the vengeance befall all Egypt, the good as well as the bad?”

“Hast thou forgotten God’s promise to Abraham concerning the wicked cities of the plain?  If there were ten righteous therein He had not destroyed them utterly.”

“Nay, but if there be but one therein?”

“One?  Now, for what one dost thou concern thyself?  Atsu?”

Rachel, startled out of her dream, hesitated, her face coloring hotly, though unseen, beneath the kindly dusk of night.

“Yea,” she said in a low tone, wondering gravely if she spake the truth.  Somebody beside her laughed the short unready laugh of one slow at mirth.

“Of a truth?” he asked.  Rachel turned about and faced Atsu.  He took her hands and drew her near him.

“Nay, Deborah,” he said sadly; “pursue her not into the secret chambers of her young heart.  I doubt not there is ‘one’ therein, but why shall we demand what manner of ‘one’ it is when she may not even confess it to herself?”

Confused and a little guilty by reason of the necklace, and wondering why she admitted any guilt, Rachel drew away from him.

“Nay,” he went on, retaining his clasp.  “Let there be perfect understanding between us twain, thou Radiant One.  I shall not plague thee with my love, nor even let it be apparent after this.  Men have lived in constant fellowship, but no nearer to the women whom they love, and am I less able than my kind?  So I be not hateful to thee, Rachel, I am content.”

“Hateful to me!” she cried reproachfully.

“Nay?  No more then.  I have spoken the last with thee concerning my love.  And thus I seal the pact.”