The sublimest heroism of that heroic day was displayed by Judas himself. Heading a band of choice spirits, he leaped from rock to rock down the side of the narrow valley, as a wild beast descends upon its prey. He made straight for the spot where helmets were brightest and the banners most enriched with blazonry, denoting the body-guard of Apollonius. His voice, like a lion, roaring the war cry 'Mi-camo-ca-ba,' scarcely revealed his presence before his sword was crossing that of the famous General. The gigantic stature of Judas, together with his tremendous strength and fury, well matched any superior skill of fence the Greek might have had. Their swords intertwined like two writhing serpents, neither daring to loosen its grip of the other. But steadily the Jew forced Apollonius to give ground until he was driven back against a rock which prevented the free use of his arm. Then the swords disentangled, and that of Judas entered the throat of his antagonist. The conflict was over. Judas gathered his scattered bands. Laden with spoil--provisions, arms, and boxes filled with coins--they emerged from the Wady. 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. As, according to Jewish tradition, David wore the sword of the fallen Goliath through all his glorious wars, so Judas carried the sword of Apollonius, until five years later it was buried in the grave of the founder of the Maccabæan dynasty of Jewish patriots. XVII A FAIR WASHERWOMAN