The signal. [He listens.] Thrice repeated? Word at last?
[To Michal.] He who is near may prove to thee less kind.
[She goes. He springs to look down the cliff.]
Abishai? Abiathar? It is!
But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn?
[He watches, then turns to meet them. They enter—Abiathar with bloody ephod and broken breastplate—and sink in panting exhaustion.]
Abishai, what is it that you bring?
Abiathar, up! answer!
ABIATHAR
Water!