Still, with good food and care, the
strength came back to her body. But in mind Miriam remained sick, since
during all these weeks she wandered in her talk, so that no word of
reason passed her lips.
Now, many would have wearied of her and thrust her out to take her
chance with hundreds of other poor creatures who roamed about the land
until they perished or were enslaved of Arabs. But this Roman did not
act thus; in truth, as he had promised it should be, had she been his
daughter, Miriam would not have been better tended. Whenever his duties
gave him time he would sit with her, trying to beguile her madness, and
after he himself was wounded, from morning to night they were together,
till at length the poor girl grew to love him in a crazy fashion, and
would throw her arms about his neck and call him "uncle," as in the
old days she had named the Essenes. Moreover, she learned to know the
soldiers of that legion, who became fond of her and would bring her
offerings of fruit and winter flowers, or of aught else that they
thought would please her. So when the captain received his orders to
proceed to Tyre with the treasure and take ship there, he and his guard
took Miriam with them, and journeying easily, reached the city on the
eighth day.
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