But the basket drifted against the bridge and excited the
curiosity of the princess. She remained standing and waited.
Jochebed and Miriam could not hear what she said on account of the
wind, but by her quiet movements they saw that she expected some
amusement from the strange gift brought by the river. Now she sent
a slave to the bank. The latter ran and broke off a long reed,
which she handed to her mistress, who fished for the basket and
brought it within reach. Then she knelt down and opened it.
Jochebed saw two little arms outstretched. The princess laughed
aloud, and turned to the women. She uttered an expression of joy,
and then lifted the infant, which nestled in her maiden bosom and
felt about in her white robe. Then the princess kissed it, pressed
it to her breast, and turned back to the shore.
Miriam, who had now lost all fear, stepped forward and fell on her
face. "See, Miriam," said the princess, whose name was Temma, "I
have found a baby. I have received it from the Nile, and therefore
it is a child of the gods. But now you must find a nurse for it."
"Where shall I find one, noble princess?"
"Search! But you must find one before evening. Do not forget,
however, that it is my child, since I drew it out of the water. I
have given him his name, and he shall be called Moses.
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