"If we dream at all," said Homer again:—
"Without a sign his sword the brave man draws,
And asks no omen but his country's cause."
They were all standing together, as he made this careless reply to the captain; and one of the young men drew him aside, and whispered that David was in arms against his country.
Homer was troubled that he had spoken as he did. But the young Jew looked little as if he needed sympathy. He saw the doubt and regret which hung over their kindly faces; told them not to fear for him; singing, as he bade them good night, and with one of the Carmel-men walked home to his own outpost:—
"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion,
The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me."
And he smiled to think how his Carmelite companion would start, if he knew when first he used those words.
So they parted, as men who should meet on the morrow.