Her companions lay dead in the water which had covered its floor, and several Hebrew women were in the act of tearing the costly gold ornaments from the neck and arms of one of the corpses.

Some chance had preserved this young woman's life, and she was now giving her rich jewels to the Israelites.

Her pale lips and slender, half-frozen hands trembled as she did so, and in low, musical tones she promised the robbers to yield them all she possessed and pay a large ransom, if they would spare her.

She was so young, and she had shown kindness to a Hebrew surely they might listen to her.
It was a touching entreaty, but so often interrupted by threats and curses that only a few could hear it.

Just as Ephraim and Miriam reached the shore she shrieked aloud--a rude hand had torn the gold serpent from her ear.
The cry pierced the youth's heart like a dagger-thrust and his cheeks paled, for he recognized Kasana.