Upon a knoll stood the five brethren; about them the warriors, wearied with their work, and sickened with their deep draughts of blood. Judas knelt, and the little host fell prostrate upon the ground in silent prayer. Then, as they rose, a woman's voice raised the old song of Miriam by the Red Sea, and the multitude joined as in the synagogue; but with what new meaning in their faith!
"I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. Thy right hand hath dashed in pieces the enemy."
When the shouts and psalms had died away Judas lifted the sword which he himself had wrested from the death-clutch of Apollonius. It was a slender weapon; its handle of fretted gold, its blue steel blade etched with representations of the labors of Herakles.
"Listen, my brave men! This sword belongs to the daughter of Elkiah. Her prowess and her prophecy have won it."
None but he and she knew his meaning, for she had told him of the scene in Apollonius' house in Jerusalem.
Deborah looked upon the blade. She took it into her hand a moment. One near enough might have heard:
"It is the same. I thank thee, O Lord, that a more fitting hand than mine has done this deed."
She then bound the sword of Apollonius upon the thigh of Judas.
"So the Lord gird thee with strength!" she said.