"
Nehushta shrugged her shoulders. "Caleb may think otherwise, as I do at
times. Wait, and we shall see."
As it chanced, they did see something. The footpath by which they
returned to the village ran over a high ridge of ground, and from its
crest, although they were a mile or more away, in that clear desert
air they could easily discern the line of the high priest's servants
straggling along, driving before them a score or so of mules, laden with
wine and other produce which they had stolen from the stores. Presently
the company of them descended into that gully along which the road ran,
whence a minute or two later rose a sound of distant shouting. Then they
appeared on the further side, running, or riding their beasts hither
and thither, as though in search of some one, while four of them carried
between them a man who seemed to be hurt, or dead.
"I think that Caleb has shot his hyena," said Nehushta meaningly; "but
I have seen nothing, and if you are wise, you will say nothing. I do not
like Caleb, but I hate these Jewish thieves, and it is not for you to
bring your friend into trouble."
Miriam looked frightened but nodded her head, and no more was said of
the matter.
That evening, as Miriam and Nehushta stood at the door of their house in
the cool, by the light of the full moon they saw Caleb advancing towards
them down the road, a sight that made Miriam glad at heart, for she
feared lest he might have come into trouble.
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