upon the very heart of that stifling mystery.  Through it presently, as the houses thinned out, they saw cores of great heat surmounted by black-tipped flames that crackled savagely.  Momus, now in the lead, turned sharply to his right and the next instant had the wind behind him.  Almost involuntarily each member of the party looked back.  Outside the breach of the broken wall, standing clear to view with the wind from the hills sweeping townward from them, were diabolical figures, naked and black, feeding immense pyres with hideous fuel.

Past this grisly line, a camel with a single rider swept in from seaward.  The traveler lifted an arm and signaled to the party.  Aquila seemed not to see this hail, and rode on; but Costobarus, after the traveler motioned to them once more, spoke: 

“Does not this person make signs to us, Aquila?”

The pagan looked back.

“Why should he?” he asked.

“He can tell us,” the master observed and spoke to Momus and Hiram, who drew up their camels.  The traveler raced alongside.

It was a woman, veiled and wrapped with all the jealous care of the East against the curious eyes of strangers.  Aquila took in her featureless presence with a single irritated look and apparently lost interest.

“Greeting, lady,” Costobarus said.

“Peace, sir, and greeting,” she replied respectfully.  Her tones were marked with the deference of the serving-class and Costobarus gave her permission to speak.

“Art thou a Jew and master of this train?” she asked.

Costobarus assented.

“I was journeying to Jerusalem with a caravan of which my master was owner, but the Romans came upon us and took every one prisoner, except myself.  I escaped, but I am without protection and without friends.  In Jerusalem, I have relatives who will care for me, yet I fear to make the journey alone.  I pray thee, with the generosity of a Jew and the authority of a master, permit me to go in the protection of thy company!”

Costobarus reflected and while he hesitated he became aware that Momus was looking at him with warning in his eyes.  But Laodice, so filled with loneliness and apprehension, was moved to sympathy for the solitary and friendless woman.  She leaned toward her father and said in a low voice: 

“Let her come with us, father; she is a woman and afraid.”

Aquila heard that low petition and he flashed a look at the stranger that seemed reproachful.  But Costobarus was speaking.

“Ride with us, then, and be welcome,” he said.

The woman bowed her shawled head and murmured with emotion after a silence: 

“The blessings of a servant be upon you and yours; may the God of Israel be with you for evermore.”

She dropped back to the rear of the party and the train moved on.