"God is surely with us. Nothing less than a miracle could have preserved the life of the maiden and scattered the tribesmen; for well I knew the preparations they had made to strike us." "But will they not reassemble at Nadan's call?" asked Jonathan. "Not in time to harm us in the coming battle. See how the Lord will turn the skill of man to his discomfiture. General Gorgias is a fast fighter. He is famed for the rapidity with which he hurls his armies. He will not loiter in the plain. If I mistake not his tactics, he will essay to strike our camps even before he has made his own. If he were an Apollonius or a Seron it might be days before he would hazard a battle, in which event the tribesmen could have time to gather. But Gorgias will be too quick for them to help him. But here is the maiden." "Have you heard from Micah of Hebron?" asked Deborah. "I brake bread with him some weeks ago, when I was supposed to be nursing my convenient malady under the care of Huldah." "Yes," replied Judas, "four score of his men reached us yester nightfall. They are the best archers in the south country." "And the men from Kirjath-jearim?" "They, too, have joined us. They will fight on familiar ground, for Gorgias will certainly take the broad ascent from the plain, and not repeat Seron's mistake on the high-road." "The physician Samuel," added Deborah, "has also done us some service. His fame called him as far north as the Waters of Meron, and he saw most of the herdsmen between here and there." "And some of them have joined us," replied Judas, "but I do not trust them as I do those of the southern country. They have not felt the King's cruelty as others have. They are, however, of splendid spirit. I have assigned them some desperate work, for in a man naturally brave nothing breeds loyalty like danger." At that moment one came hastily reporting that a change was being made in the disposition of the Greek forces. Judas held a brief conversation with the scout. Turning, he said: "Gorgias will undoubtedly climb the ascent to-night. I must away. One thing I ask of you, Deborah." "Your wish is your command to me, Judas." "You must not linger near this battle." "I am not afraid." "Would God that you were afraid, Deborah; that in this one respect you were like other women." "Would you esteem me more, Judas, if I were like other women?" "Deborah, if you were like other women, like any other woman in the world, the world would be less to me. No, be your own self; only do not remain here. If harm should come to you, I should lose heart. You cheer me. You inspire me. Take no risk." "But have I not cared for myself at other times?"