Read Online Daughter of Deliverance by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online Page B

don’t have to make such a bad thing out of it.”
    â€œIt is a bad thing,” Ardon said grimly. He gave one disdainful look at the woman and said, “You have a husband. That should be enough for you.”
    Ignoring Carphina’s curses, Ardon waited for Othniel, who grabbed his cloak, slipped on his sandals, and then shamefacedly crept out the door of the tent.
    As soon as they stepped outside, Ardon became cautious. The woman he had rejected was there with three men, big fighting men.
    â€œThat’s the one. He said I wasn’t good enough for him and he hit me.”
    â€œNobody hit you,” Ardon said, not taking his eyes from the three men. “We’re leaving.”
    The three burly men all carried knives in their belts, and one of them had a club in his hand. He, apparently, was the oldest, and he scowled. “You’re not going anywhere, fellow. You can’t treat our sister like a whore.”
    â€œBack off,” Ardon said. He had a knife in his belt, but he did not want to enter into a knife fight with three sturdy warriors. He started toward them, hoping to break their concentration, but as he did, the one with the club raised it and struck at him. Ardon’s reactions were swift. He ducked his head so that the club went over it, and when the man grunted with the force of his blow, Ardon struck him a hard blow right where the neck joins the head. With a muted cry, the man sprawled on the ground. Ardon scooped up the club. He held it securely and turned to face the other two. They had separated now and were coming at him from different angles. One of them had drawn a knife.
    â€œPut that knife away,” Ardon demanded. He had a hard time keeping his eyes on both men. Suddenly Othniel yelled and threw himself on the one who had not yet drawn his knife. Out of the corner of his eye, Ardon saw the two of them go down kicking and fighting. He knew that Othniel had little experience in this kind of fight, but at least he kept the fellow occupied. Ardon faced the knife bearer and advanced toward him, holding the glittering blade before him like an experienced fighter. He sneered, “You’re going to regret this when you wake up in the morning.”
    The Danite lunged forward, but he was muscular and slow-moving. With one quick swipe of the club, Ardon struck his wrist. The man bellowed with pain, and with another swipe the club hit him in the side of the head and he dropped to the earth like a felled ox. Ardon swung around to see that the third brother had knocked Othniel out, falling down himself in the process. The brother was getting to his feet, but before he could rise, Ardon swung the club again. He did not strike to kill, for he was well aware that Israel needed all of her soldiers, especially tough ones like this. The club made a dull sound like striking a melon, and the third brother rolled his eyes up and sank back to the ground.
    The woman named Danzia stared at her brothers, let out a screech, and threw herself at Ardon. She was mindless with rage, and not wanting to hurt her, Ardon simply grasped her by the back of the arm and shoved her hard enough to send her sprawling on the ground. “You do that again and you’ll be sorry,” he said. He watched for a moment, but as the woman got up, her face pale with fury, he went over and grabbed Othniel, whose eyes were open, staring blankly. Ardon yanked him to his feet and said, “We’ve had enough fun for one day.”
    As the two made their way back toward where the tribe of Judah was set up, Othniel walked with his head down. From time to time he would glance at Ardon, but not having words to excuse himself, he kept silent all the way to Caleb’s tent.
    Ariel was outside stirring some food in a pot over an open fire. She stood right up and stared at the pair. “Well, you found the wandering lamb, I see.”
    â€œHe’s not a lamb.” Ardon shook his head. “Lambs