'Come, little one,' said Saul, and stooping down, at the risk of his life, clutched the child from the mother's arms, and heard the mother's heart-broken sobs.
'Is she safe, Saul?'
'She is safe, dear woman.'
Other heads rose from other tents and turned despairingly about. But no help for them was near. They were in their grave.
David's wife raised the provisions to Saul, and went down to her husband.
'Wife,' said David, 'leave me, and see if you can reach Saul. It will be difficult, but you may be able to manage it.'
She looked at him tenderly.
'My place is here, David,' she said; 'I shall stay with you, and trust to God. Our child is safe, in the care of a good man.'
He tried to persuade her, but she shook her head sweetly and sadly, and simply said, 'I know my duty.' He could say no more, for the next moment he swooned, his pain was so great. Then his wife knelt by him, and raised his head upon her lap.