Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/138

 till she could lay hold on the fastenings of the window. When she put forth her strength, they burst asunder. She leaped down to the balcony, and ran within the porch. She first drew aside the wicket that she might see without being seen by the multitude who passed: but when she beheld Paltiel in the midst, bound with his own girdle, and hurried on by the violence of those who held him, she rushed from the gate, and stretched forth her arms to him, while her cry of anguish was as that of the young antelope when the hind is slain by the hunters. There was grief in the countenance of Paltiel, as he strove to tarry for a moment to give his blessing to the maiden; but the crowd conveyed him away with the greater speed; and when he looked back from afar, he beheld her stretched on the earth, while none remained to comfort her.

She knew not, or her grief would have been yet greater, that it was through her absence that the retreat of the Nazarenes had been discovered. Her brothers found her not among the company and were dismayed. They had issued from the pass when they thought none were nigh, and the eyes of enemies had