Evening star., 1926-10-25
CHAPTER XIV.

N HE finger Of sunlight that ex-
tended through the hanging
clouds moved 10 Laila's house
and paused there
The Arab an woman and the
hnhdsman, straining forward, could
50" each movement of the raiders and
heir victims
Maryam and her mother remained
standing, in charge of one Of the
guards, The others turned to Laila $
own house, evidently abandoning their
pursuit of the Hebrews who had fled
beyond the village.
In moment two Of the raidinC
party ran back, past the guarded
women, and out of sight of the watch
crs on the hill. When they returned
they We're driving two men before
them at the points of their swords
This party turned in to Laila S
dwelling and was there for nearly
half an hour. No movement was Wis
iole in the village now. Maryam and
the woman stood patiently, their
guard behind them. Far below. in the
plain. Laila and the slave could see
The blue and purple and scarlet man
ties of the fugitive villagers collected
In small groups
The spot of sunlight that illumined
Laila's dwelling faded out. The rain
that had been dropping internationally
began to fall in a steady downpour,
making a curtain between the village
and the man and woman on the hill
side. The houses We're visible to
Laila and The slave only dimly. and
they barely could make out the fig
ures of the two women and their
guard.
II see no sign of any Killings" said
the bondsman.
Laila did not answer.
They are in there with the soldier
long time. the Samaritan went on.
The woman drew her mantle--the
one the slave had lent her-out over
her forehead TO shield her eyes from
the rain.
The bondsman fell silent.
Soon they became aware of a move
mcnt before Laila's house. Sheets of
rain blotted out the scene enti.ely
now and again, but between these
brief torrents they could make out a
group of slowly advancing figures
advancin toward the hill from which
they watched.
Laila and the slave strained their
eyes in anxiety. 1t was only little
while until they could identify the pro-
ceSSiOn in n brief respite of the storm.
First came two men bearing a rude
Hitter, and on the litter was the OUT
stretched form of Il man.
1T is Antonius" the woman MUIR
INJURED.
Both of them could see now the
shield that rested over his knees and
the helmet that he wore upon his
head.
Behind the litter came the two
women. and following them the entire
party of Arabian warriors.
They are coming toward u.s." eX-
claimed the bondsman. They are fol-
lowing this route to the farther val
ley
lie took Laila by the hand and TO-
Eether they stumbled forward up the
incline that they had descended so
short time ago.
If we turn to the right" said the
slave, they will pass us"
An outcropping shoulder of the
mountain was beside them and they
started around this on "a narrow path
worn there by goat herds and their
fioCkS. AS they reached the farther
side they could see ahead of them an
overhanging ledge of stone.
Shelter" said Laila, pressing close
behind her companion.
1t is a cave. l think" said the
slave.
The path bent abruptly just beneath
the ledge. AS they made the turn
Laila gave a cry and halted. In front
OF her the slave sank to his knees
and bent his head to the earth, his
arms outstrctChed