They do not fear, boasting their
God's care."
Masanath shook her head. "He must look to them at once, ere the
soldiery fall upon them. His time for aid is short," she said.
A silence fell, and the raft passed below Masaarah. Again Nari spoke,
proving that she had heard and thought upon the last words of her
mistress.
"Are not the gods omnipotent and everywhere?"
"Aye, so hast thou been taught, Nari."
"Our gods, and the gods of every nation like them?" the serving-woman
persisted.
"The gods of Egypt are so, and each nation boasts its gods equally
potent."
"Mayhap the Hebrews' God will help them," Nari ventured.
Masanath was silent for a moment. "He hath deserted them for long,"
she said at last, "but they are hard-pressed. Mayhap their loud
supplications will reach Him in His retreat."
"They boast that He hath returned."
"Let Him prove Himself," Masanath insisted stoutly.
When next she spoke there was no hint of the past serious talk in her
voice.
"A pest on the ban," she exclaimed. "Look at the Marsh of the
Discontented Soul. It fairly swarms with teal and coot, and see the
snipe on the sand." She stood up and watched the sandy strip they were
nearing. They were a goodly distance out from the shore, but Pepi
poled nearer midstream.
Pages:
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440