“You draw the knife? So be it, perish by the knife!” said Anna. Then without heeding him further the old woman hobbled on after her companions, leaving the man to slink away white to the lips with terror. He had been a Christian and knew something of Anna and of this “gift of prophecy.”
The path of these strangers led them past the fountain, where Rachel and Nehushta rose to greet them as they came.
“Peace be with you,” said Rachel.
“In the name of Christ, peace,” they answered, and passed on towards the arches where the other captives were gathered. Last of all, at some distance behind the rest, came the white-haired woman, leaning on her staff.
As she approached, Rachel turned to repeat her salutation, then uttered a little cry and said:
“Mother Anna, do you not know me, Rachel, the daughter of Benoni?”
“Rachel!” she answered, starting. “Alas! child, how came you here?”
“By the paths that we Christians have to tread, mother,” said Rachel, sadly. “But sit; you are weary. Nou, help her.”
Anna nodded, and slowly, for her limbs were stiff, sank down on to the step of the fountain.
“Give me to drink, child,” she said, “for I have been brought upon a mule from Tyre, and am athirst.”