Then when she is strong enough and it is convenient, travel, not to Tyre--for there my father would bring up the child in the strictest rites and customs of the Jews--but to the village of the Essenes upon the shores of the Dead sea.
There find out my mother's brother, Ithiel, who is of their society, and present to him the tokens of my name and birth which still hang about my neck, and tell him all the story, keeping nothing back.

He is not a Christian, but he is a good and gentle-hearted man who thinks well of Christians, and is grieved at their persecution, since he wrote to my father reproving him for his deeds towards us and, as you know, strove, but in vain, to bring about our release from prison.

Say to him that I, his kinswoman, pray of him, as he will answer to God, and in the name of the sister whom he loved, to protect my child and you; to do nothing to turn her from her faith, and in all things to deal with her as his wisdom shall direct--for so shall peace and blessing come upon him." Thus spoke Rachel, but in short and broken words.

Then she began to pray, and, praying, fell asleep.

When she woke again the dawn was breaking.