"Then I can follow into the ravine and die with my brave soldiers."
"That way is also closed," said Deborah, "for Simon and the tribesmen from the north are pressing in after the Greeks. Look!"
"How knew you this?" cried Dion, as his trained eye saw that the woman was correct. "Are you a spirit of battle? Do you hold the armies of Antiochus as you have held me? Are you witch, or are you woman?"
"I know not," she replied, "I only know that Dion dies not to-day with the rest."
Then the Greek broke away from his captor. It was but for a moment, for all around were Jews, who sprang up as if from the ground.
"Back, back, or you are slain! These peasants never miss with the arrow or sling. Back!"
She drew him to the covert.
"For myself I care not, but you."
"For my sake then, O Dion, do not leave me. They will kill me. Save me, Dion! Back! They will see your Greek armor, and the arrows will not leave a branch on the tree if you are detected. Back!"