REBECCA the Jewess, when condemned to death for sorcery by the Grand Master of the Order of Knights Templars,① challenged the privilege of "Trial by Combat," in proof of her innocence. Her challenge was accepted, and Sir Brian, a valiant Templar, was named the champion of the holy Order.
Rebecca had difficulty in finding a messenger who would undertake to carry a letter to her father, Isaac of York; at last Higg, the son of Snell, a poor cripple whom she had be- friended, volunteered his services.
"I am but a maimed man," he said, "but that I can at all stir is owing to her charitable aid. -I will do thine errand," he added, turning to Rebecca, "as well as a crippled object can. -Alas! when I boasted of thy charity, I little thought that I was leading thee into danger.""God," said Rebecca, "is the Disposer of all. He can turn back the captivity of Judah even by the weakest instrument. Seek out Isaac of York-here is that will pay for horse and man-let him have this scroll. Farewell! -Life and death are in thy haste."Within a quarter of a mile from the gate of the Preceptorythe peasant met two riders, whom, by their dress and yellow caps, he knew to be Jews; and, on approaching more nearly, he discovered that one of them was his ancient employer, Isaac of York. The other was the Rabbi Ben Samuel; and both had approached as near to the Preceptory as they dared, on hearing that the Grand Master had summoned a chapter, or meeting of the Order, for the trial of a sorceress.
"How now, brother?" said Ben Samuel, interrupting hisharangue to look towards Isaac, who had but glanced at the scroll which Higg offered, when, uttering a deep groan, he fell from his mule like a dying man, and lay for a minute insensible.
The Rabbi now dismounted in great alarm, and hastily applied the remedies which his art suggested for the recovery of his companion. He had even taken from his pocket a cupping apparatus,③ and was about to use it, when the object of his solicitude suddenly revived; but it was to dash his cap from his head, and to throw dust on his gray hairs. The physician was at first inclined to ascribe this sudden and violent emotion to the effects of insanity; and, adhering to his original purpose, began once again to handle his implements. But Isaac soon convinced him of his error.
"Child of my sorrow," he said, "well shouldst thou be called Benoni, instead of Rebecca! Why should thy death bring down my gray hairs to the grave?""Brother," said the Rabbi, in great surprise, "I trust that the child of thy house yet liveth?""She liveth," answered Isaac, "but she is captive unto those men of Be"lial,④ and they will wreak their cruelty upon her, sparing her neither for her youth nor her comely favour. Oh, she was as a crown of green palms to my gray locks; and she must wither in a night, like the gourd of Jonah!⑤ Child of my love! child of my old age! -O Rebecca, daughter of Rachel, the darkness of the shadow of death hath encompassed thee.""Yet read the scroll," said the Rabbi; "peradventure it maybe that we may yet find out a way of deliverance.""Do thou read, brother," answered Isaac, "for mine eyes are as fountains of water."The physician read, but in their native language, the following words: -"To ISAAC, the son of Adoni"kam, whom the Gentiles callISAAC of YORK, peace and the blessing of the promise be multiplied unto thee.
