As it chanced, on that day Miriam, accompanied by Nehushta, had visited Jericho.

Returning in the afternoon they passed through a certain torrent bed in which were many rocks, and among them thickets of thorn trees.

Here they were met by Caleb, now a noble-looking youth very strong and active, who carried a bow in his hand and on his back a sheath of six arrows.
"Lady Miriam," he said, "well met.

I have come to seek you, and to warn you not to return by the road to-day, since on it you will meet presently those thieves sent by the high priest to plunder the stores of the Order, who, perhaps, will offer you insult or mischief, for they are drunk with wine.

Look, one of them has struck me," and he pointed to a bruise upon his shoulder and scowled.
"What then shall we do ?" asked Miriam.