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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>STEPHEN: A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Stephen" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Florence Morse Kingsley" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1896" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="41655" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-12-18" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Stephen A Soldier of the Cross" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Stephen A Soldier of the Cross" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="stephen.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2012-12-19T03:48:02.307793+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41655" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Florence Morse Kingsley" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="2012-12-18" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="stephen-a-soldier-of-the-cross"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">STEPHEN: A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Stephen -<br /> A Soldier of the Cross -<br /> -<br />Author: Florence Morse Kingsley -<br /> -<br />Release Date: December 18, 2012 [EBook #41655] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>STEPHEN</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 52%" id="figure-19"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 51%" id="figure-20"> -<span id="florence-morse-kingsley"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Florence Morse Kingsley" src="images/ing-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Florence Morse Kingsley</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">STEPHEN</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">By -<br />FLORENCE MORSE KINGSLEY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">Author of Titus</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">TORONTO: -<br />WILLIAM BRIGGS, WESLEY BUILDINGS. -<br />C. W. COATES, MONTREAL, QUE. -<br />S. F. HUESTIS, HALIFAX, N.S.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="pfirst"><span class="small">Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one -thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, by WILLIAM BRIGGS, at the Department -of Agriculture.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<blockquote id="preface"> -<div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">PREFACE.</span></p> -</div> -</blockquote> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>There are those who have asked me to -write this book. There may be others who -shall question me because I have written it. -"Assuredly," these will cry out, "it is justly -forbidden to ascribe words and deeds of one's own -devising to them which have been set forever -apart in the pages of the Book of books. The pen -of inspiration has written of Stephen all that God -wills us to know of him, therefore let us be -content."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It is true that the story of Stephen is little -known; scarcely for a single day does the light -shine clearly upon him, and that day the last of his -mortal life. A tale is told of ancient alchemists, -how that they possessed the power of resurrecting -from the ashes of a perished flower a dim ghost of -the flower itself. In like manner, may not one -gather the fragrant dust of this vanished life from -out the writings and legends of past ages, and -from it build anew some faint image of its -forgotten beauty?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Surely in these days, when the imagination -hurries to and fro on the earth, delving amid all that -is low and evil and noisome for some new panacea -wherewith to deaden, if only for a moment, the -feverish pain in the hearts of men, it were a -good thing to lift up the eyes of the soul to the -contemplation of those days when the memory of -the living Jesus was yet fresh in the hearts of His -followers; when His voice still echoed in their -ears; when the glory of the cloud which had -received Him out of their sight lingered with -transfiguring splendor on all the commonplace -happenings of their daily lives; when the words, "Lo, I -am with you alway, even unto the end," meant a -living presence all comforting, all powerful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>We are wont to look longingly back through the -dark mists of the ages and sigh, "Oh, that I had -known Him as they knew Him! But in these -hard, grey days there is no glory that shines, no -voice that speaks, no ecstatic vision of the Son of -Man standing at the right hand of power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet had we lived in those days the life which -many of us live to-day, going to church and to -prayer because such attendance is a Christian duty; -giving of our abundance to the poor because our -neighbors will marvel if we withhold; and for the -rest, living as those before the flood, and since -also--eating and drinking, and making such poor -merriment as we are able in a life which was given -us for another purpose--had we lived thus in those -far-off days, would the Pentecostal flames have -descended upon us? Could the crucified One -have said unto us, "Lo, I am with you alway, -even unto the end?" Would we not rather have -cried out in terror and fled away from the light of -those sad eyes into darkness, even as did Peter -after that he had denied with curses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There is an Apostolic Church in the world -to-day. To-day Christ is on earth and walks with -men. To-day the Spirit works mightily as of old; -the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are -raised up. But it is not alone in splendid temple, -nor amid the solemn pomp of churchly -magnificence that these things are being accomplished, -but in the humble upper rooms where the good -soldiers of the Salvation Army, and the workers -in Rescue Missions, labor unceasingly for them -that are lost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In these places, and in the silence of repentant -hearts also, one may yet touch the borders of that -seamless robe; and lo, every one that touches is -made whole.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#preface">Preface</a></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span>CHAPTER</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-blind-singer">The Blind Singer</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#good-tidings-out-of-the-desert">Good Tidings out of the Desert</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-palace-of-the-high-priest">At the Palace of the High Priest</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-place-of-judas">In Place of Judas</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-abode-of-kings">In the Abode of Kings</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-lord-of-the-south-land">The Lord of the South-Land</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-pharisee-from-tarsus">The Pharisee from Tarsus</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-believer-in-the-nazarene">A Believer in the Nazarene</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-desert-encampment">In the Desert Encampment</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-white-dromedary">The White Dromedary</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-gate-beautiful">At the Gate Beautiful</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-council-chamber">In the Council Chamber</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-feet-of-the-apostles">At the Feet of the Apostles</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-cup-of-cold-water">A Cup of Cold Water</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-pursuit-of-the-fugitives">In Pursuit of the Fugitives</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-roll-of-parchment">A Roll of Parchment</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-prison-house">In the Prison House</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#whose-we-are-and-whom-we-serve">"Whose we Are and Whom we Serve"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-shadow-of-the-wall">In the Shadow of the Wall</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#without-the-jaffa-gate">Without the Jaffa Gate</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#not-a-sparrow-falleth">"Not a Sparrow Falleth"</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#by-the-thorny-ways-of-his-sin">By the Thorny Ways of His Sin</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-synagogue-of-the-nazarenes">In the Synagogue of the Nazarenes</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-warning">The Warning</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-wrath-of-man">The Wrath of Man</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#until-the-day-break">Until the Day Break</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-valley-of-the-shadow">In the Valley of the Shadow</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-lifted-veil">The Lifted Veil</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-watchful-love">The Watchful Love</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-flask-of-crystal">A Flask of Crystal</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-scarlet-thread">A Scarlet Thread</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#ben-hesed-in-jerusalem">Ben Hesed in Jerusalem</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-mercy-of-israel">The Mercy of Israel</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#at-the-third-hour">At the Third Hour</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#on-the-road-to-damascus">On the Road to Damascus</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first left pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-amulet">The Amulet</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-blind-singer"><span class="large">CHAPTER I.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE BLIND SINGER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Bounteous Nile! Father of all living! -Garlanded with lotus blooms, rosy as Horus!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As these words rang out over the rocky hillside -in a clear sweet voice, two men who were -climbing the steep declivity paused a moment and -looked at each other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the voice," said one of them in a tone -of deep satisfaction. "A voice of gold truly, if only -breathed forth into royal ears."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are two of them," said his companion, -wiping his hot face. "The other is a boy, a water-carrier.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! He also will bring a fair price. Valuable -property both, and going to waste like water -spilled in the desert. Why buy slaves for gold, -when they grow wild in the desert?" And the -speaker laughed under his breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a favorite of the gods," said the other -with a venomous gleam in his narrow black eyes. -"In thy heaven-bestowed wisdom forget not that it -was I who came upon the two nesting in a corner -of yonder old tomb like a pair of swallows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt have the boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And who gave thee leave to say, friend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Canst thou sell them then? Is it of thee that -the princess will buy slaves? Half the price of the -two shall be thine; if that pleaseth thee not, why -then----"</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Look at me! I am thy sister that loveth thee,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Do not stay far from me, heavenly one!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Come to thine abode with haste, with haste</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>I see thee no more. I see thee no more--"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>trilled the unseen singer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha! The song of Isis! The little one is -religious," continued the speaker, who had stopped -in the midst of his bargaining. "Come! What -sayest thou?" he added persuasively. "Half the -price--and it will be a good one--no one can do -better in such a matter than----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No one better than Besa," interrupted the -other rudely. "Be it so; but lie to me about the -price and thou shalt regret it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two had reached the top of the hill by this -time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hist! Do not let her see thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, rather, do not let her hear thee; she is -blind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay! Stone blind; but what matters it when -she carries a singing bird in her throat. Do they -not blind the nightingale?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both men now advanced cautiously, their sandaled -feet making little sound on the shelf-like plateau -upon which yawned several recesses cut deep into -the solid rock. In the door of one of these recesses -sat, or rather crouched, the figure of a young girl. -Her blue-black hair, gathered away from her -forehead and plaited in several thick braids, revealed -a thin face, delicately featured, the smooth brown -cheeks faintly flushed with a warmth, which in the -drooping mouth deepened to scarlet. Her eyes -were large and black, but curiously expressionless, -like the eyes of the great god Ptah in the temple -below. For the rest, she was dressed in the -shapeless blue linen robe of an Egyptian peasant woman, -about her neck hung a string of shining coins, and -upon the slender ankles tinkled hoops of wrought -silver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the sound of the stealthy feet upon the rock, -the blind girl bent her head anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it you, Seth?" she said doubtfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, little one," said one of the men, -advancing boldly, "it is only a wayfarer who heard a -goddess chanting to herself in a nook of the mountain. -Didst thou also hear it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl shrank back into the narrow recess, -upon whose rocky walls was pictured gaudily the -long-since-ended career of its former occupant. -She made no reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This dismal spirit-haunted tomb is no place for -thee," continued the speaker in honeyed tones, -"for it is thou and no other who hast the voice of -Isis herself. Thou shouldst sing in the abode of -princes, and be crowned with perfumed garlands, -and all this shall shortly happen if thou wilt but -come with me. Listen!" he added imperatively -in the Greek tongue, addressing his companion. -"I will take the girl with me, her pretty face adds -to her value by half, the blindness is no matter. -But do thou wait for the boy and bring him to the -city, to the place whereof thou knowest. To-morrow -they shall both be sold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was standing as he spoke perilously near -the edge of the rocky declivity up which he had -just clambered, his black snaky eyes fixed upon -the maiden, his hand already extended to grasp -her, when with the lithe swiftness of a tigress she -sprang to her feet, and with a sudden powerful -push of her strong young arms sent the unfortunate -man flying backward over the verge. Then with a -loud scream she turned, and, eluding the -outstretched arms of the other, fled away and -disappeared in some hidden nook among the tombs. -The man who remained behind stared after her a -moment in silence, then he broke into a short -sneering laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the seven great gods! It appears that a -nightingale is not easy to cage. And what then -has become of our bargaining Besa? By Anubis! -I care not if he be dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peering over the edge of the precipice he -presently descried a motionless mass of dingy red -drapery, lodged against the side of a great boulder, -and thither, grumbling morosely to himself, he -slowly and deliberately made his way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime the young girl was cowering -breathless in a narrow crevice of the rocks; she -listened intensely, her hands upon her heart, as -though she feared that its loud beating might -betray her hiding-place. But after a few moments -the silence reassured her and she began to weep -and moan softly to herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Isis, tender-hearted one, what is it that hath -befallen me? O God of the Sun in thy shining -chariot! why dost thou not smite such wickedness? -What then if I have killed him. Nay, I -care not! It is just."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anat! Anat!" shouted a voice. "Where art thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! it is Seth," said the girl, rising to her feet. -"Hist! Here am I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why art thou here?" said the newcomer -anxiously. "What hath happened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By way of answer the girl burst into a passion of -sobbing, rocking herself to and fro and tearing at -her black braids. The lad stared at her in -amazement and fear, then hastily casting aside the skin -water-bottle with its tinkling brass cups, which he -carried upon his back, he knelt down by the -convulsed little figure, and throwing one arm about it -began to speak in low soothing tones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anat, little sister, come, tell me what hath -happened. Thou must indeed, little one. I should -not have left thee alone; thou hast been frightened, -is it not so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thus encouraged the blind girl finally managed -to tell her story, albeit in disjointed, half -intelligible words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He heard thee singing, little one," said her -brother, knitting his black brows angrily, "and -would have carried thee away like a bird."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said the girl fiercely. "But that is not -all, he said that to-morrow we should both be sold; -yet it may be that he will not care for buying and -selling on the morrow. I know not how I could -have done it, but of a sudden I felt a great strength -come upon me. I pushed him over the ledge--I -heard him fall--" and she caught her breath with -a quick shudder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou didst well, little one!" said the boy. -"It matters not what hath befallen him, the gods -helped thee. But the other--there were two, -saidst thou? He will return. We must get us -away from here and at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where shall we go?" said Anat plaintively. -"We are even as the birds that flee before the -hunter, only to fall at last into his hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, little one; the pursued eaglets flee away -into the desert. So also will we. I know of a -secure resting-place, and thou shalt not again stay -alone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we go now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, now. When I shall have gathered together -our possessions; but they be few, it will not -take long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad rose to his feet with a sigh, and looked -out and away from their lofty eyrie. Far below -them lay a floor of shining blue-green, the fertile -plains of the Nile, shadowed here and there with -groups of clustered palm trees. Through the -midst of these plains rolled the sacred river, like a -flood of gold. On either side of it rose the white -walls and strange many-colored towers of the city -of Memphis, all transfigured in the shining mist of -the setting sun. And beyond trooped the grim -procession of the pyramids, solemn sentinels on the -borders of a desert which the Egyptians thought -to be boundless, behind whose golden rim, they -believed, lay the regions of the departed.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="good-tidings-out-of-the-desert"><span class="large">CHAPTER II.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">GOOD TIDINGS OUT OF THE DESERT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I hear some one coming."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can that be, Anat? I see no one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It matters not, there is some one; I can hear -the tinkle of the harness bells, it is from the desert -they come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A caravan thinkest thou, little one?" said Seth, -looking with an indulgent smile at the flushed face -with its strange widely-opened dark eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," said the girl after a pause, shaking her -head decidedly; "there is but one--one on a swift -dromedary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Horus! thou art right, I see the man now, -he is coming this way." And shaking his tinkling -cups, the lad darted away to meet the traveler.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Water! Fresh cool water, the gift of God to -the thirsty!" he cried aloud. And the stranger, -scorched by the withering breath of the desert, -gladly dismounted and drank deep of the proffered -cup.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God grant thee peace, whoever thou art!" he -said in a low deep voice, turning his piercing eyes -upon the boy. "How doth it chance that thou art -here in the desert? Surely not many come this way. -Why art thou not rather plying thy trade in yonder -city?" He felt in his wallet for a coin as he spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy flushed deeply and hung his head without -answering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a happy chance for me that thou hadst the -desert traveler in thy thought," continued the -stranger with a smile of singular sweetness, "for I -could no longer abide the brackish water of the -march, and was pushing ahead of the caravan with -all possible speed for a draught from a certain cool -fountain that I know not far from here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fountain of Kera?" said the boy, looking up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even so, and it is of that I have just drunken? -Ay, I thought so, though it is many moons since I -have tasted it." Stroking his long beard thoughtfully, -the stranger continued, "I shall wait here now -till the others come up, it will not be long. Who -sits yonder in the shadow of the rock?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My sister," replied the lad briefly. "She is -blind," he added, moved by a sudden impulse.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blind? Ah, the pity of it, the pity of it!" said -the man, passing his hand swiftly across his eyes. -"Would to God"--then he broke off suddenly and -commanded his dromedary to lie down; the beast -obeyed, moaning and shaking his head. "He also -smells water, yet hath he drunken his fill yester -eve. Be quiet, Neha! thou shalt again drink.--And -the little one is blind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but she hath wonderful hearing," said -Seth proudly. "She heard the tinkle of thy -harness bells before I saw thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes! I know, no one better, it was once so -with me, but seeing is also good. Thanks be to -the Wonderful, the Prophet of Israel, I know that -now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad looked at the man in puzzled silence. -They had now approached the great rock, in the -shadow of which the blind girl was sitting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Greetings to thee, little one!" said the stranger, -sitting down in the sand near the child and looking -earnestly into her dark sightless eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is it that is speaking to me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do not fear, Anat, I am here," said Seth, quietly -possessing himself of one of the slender brown -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not afraid; the voice is good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where dwellest thou?" continued the stranger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are even as the wild goats of the desert," -said the boy bitterly, "wandering among the rocks -by day, and at night sleeping where the night -overtakes us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Surely thou art not alone in the world," urged -the stranger, "thy parents, where are they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Nile hath risen seven times now since they -passed into the regions of the dead," said Anat, -raising her drooping head. "Many passed with them -by reason of a great sickness. I also was stricken, -and afterward mine eyes were darkened, not suddenly, -but slowly even as the evening deepens into -the black night. It is always night now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, yes!" said the stranger sighing, "a night -wherein one hath strange dreams, and where fear -standeth by the pillow of sleep, and walks always -at the right hand in the waking hours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou alone carest for the little one?" he -continued, fixing his keen eyes upon the boy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I alone," said the boy proudly. "We dwelt -among yonder hills, and I plied my trade in the -city below, but--" here he checked himself -suddenly, and looked suspiciously at his questioner. -"Wilt thou not break thy fast?" he said at length. -"Thou art our guest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The stranger bowed his head gravely, laying his -hand upon his breast as he did so. He understood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Seth made haste and fetched from a neighboring -crevice in the rock dates and parched corn -together with a gourd of water. Their guest ate -of the food, the lad also and the maiden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was blind," said the stranger at length rising, -"and I was healed of my blindness by the great -prophet of Israel. They call him Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where dwells he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In Jerusalem, far away beyond the wilderness," -and he pointed towards the desert from which he -had just come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou return thither?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not many days hence, when I shall have sold -my goods and loaded my camels. I shall not -forget thy hospitality; when I again pass this way -fetch me water, my son, and hear what I shall say -to thee. Maiden, I salute thee! Farewell." And -he sprang upon his beast and was gone in a swift -cloud of dust toward the slow-moving caravan, -which crawled like a snake over the yellow wastes -of the desert.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth did not run with his water-bottles and his -tinkling cups to meet them, as was his wont. He -sat silent in the shadow of the great rock, thinking.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat also was silent for a time, then she said -timidly: "I would that I too might see the man -of blessing, he who dwells beyond the wilderness -and hath power to restore sight to the blind. -There is no one in the land of Egypt who can do -the like."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have no treasure to give him; would he -not say to us, 'Where then is thy gold, or thy -precious stones, or thy beasts of burden, before I -shall do this thing for thee?' Thou knowest not -the ways of magicians; I know, for I have heard, -yet is there no magician in all Egypt who can cure -blindness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat sighed. "I have my mother's necklace," -she said at length, laying her hand upon the string -of coins about her neck. "Some of them are of -gold and very heavy." Then she caught her breath -with a half sob. "The men--yesterday--they -would have sold us. I--yes, I would be a slave if -only I might see!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will be a slave, and thou shalt have thine eyes -together with thy freedom," cried Seth, starting to -his feet. "I will say to the man, give thou sight to -these eyes and I am thy bondman from henceforth -and forever. I will serve thee with my heart's -blood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I also will serve him, for I will not leave thee, -my brother; but how shall we pass the wilderness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are many caravans passing through," -said the lad, looking with troubled eyes into the -distance, "but the way is long and we have no -beast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The stranger who ate of our bread, will he not -take us to that far country?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may be----" began Seth, then he stopped -suddenly--Anat had grasped his arm convulsively, -her face pallid to the lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The voices!" she gasped. "I hear them, they -will sell us into bondage! Let us hide, quick!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word the lad hurried her into a -narrow cleft in the rocks not far distant. Here, -tugging with all his strength at a broad stone which -was half buried in the drifting sand, he at length -succeeded in pulling it aside. The opening -disclosed a flight of steps cut in the solid rock, -winding down into impenetrable darkness. From the -depths there ascended a stifling odor of resin and -spices.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl drew back gasping, "Not here!" she -said faintly. "I am afraid; I cannot go further, it -is the breath of the dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad hesitated an instant; he too heard the -sound of voices and the tinkling of harness bells. -"Listen," he whispered, "I know not the voices, -but thou knowest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes! it is the voice; I will go anywhere to -escape."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The tinkling sound and the slow steps of the -beasts of burden became momently louder, -together with the harsh tones of a human voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis a fool's errand, Besa; thou hast lost what -little wit the gods gave thee in thy tumble of -yesterday. By Sechet! I have not yet done laughing -to think of the way the little hell-witch served -thee!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who could know that the beggar understood Greek!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pooh! that is nothing; no one better than the -beggars, they whine for every man's gold in his -own tongue. Ha, ha! 'Thou shouldst have -perfumed garlands,' saidst thou with tongue as smooth -as Sesame oil; then I saw only a flying bundle of -red cloth. Besa was gone. Ha, ha!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why didst thou not seize her, fool?" snarled -the other, grinding his teeth. "I will find her -should I look a lifetime, if only to twist that little -singing throat of hers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That shalt thou not do, friend; that singing -throat is gold and it is mine. Come, we will go -back; they are not here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this?" said Besa triumphantly, -dismounting from his ass and holding up a brilliant -bit of striped drapery; "this, or one like it, was on -the girl's neck yesterday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amu, for so was the other man called, made no -reply: he was looking fixedly into a narrow cleft -of the rocks. Presently he too dismounted. -"Some one has been here," he said, pointing to the -fresh footmarks in the sand which had drifted deep -into the opening.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-the-palace-of-the-high-priest"><span class="large">CHAPTER III.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AT THE PALACE OF THE HIGH PRIEST.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"It is well that by the blessing of Jehovah -thou hast recovered thy health, my son, for -though we have accomplished the death of the -blasphemer, there yet remains the rabble of his -followers. With the trunk of the poisonous vine -we must also thoroughly burn the branches lest -they bud anew."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast the tongue of wisdom," said Caiaphas -in a tone of dull indifference, his eyes fixed -vacantly on the range of blue hills at the verge of -the horizon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas glanced impatiently at the white worn -face. "They are already spreading reports both -in Jerusalem and in all Galilee that the man is -alive again, that, forsooth, he has been seen of -them. The temple resounds daily to the voice of -their noisome praises and thanksgivings. I have -counseled that they be thrust out," he continued -frowning, "for what is it else than blasphemy--lies. -It cannot be true!" And the speaker -started to his feet, and began to pace up and down -the terrace of the roof garden. "The Sanhedrim -seems satisfied that nothing will come of it," he -went on angrily. "'Let be,' say they, 'the thing -will die even as the man.' Pah! they are blind. -Look you! here are the facts. The man's body -disappears on the third day after the crucifixion, -the Roman guards tell a drunken tale of -earthquake and the appearance of an angel with a -sword; lies, all lies! That I have managed--gold -worketh wonders; they know now that they were -drunken, and that his disciples stole the body away -while they slept. So far, well. Then there is the -matter of the rent veil before the Holy of Holies; -a sore mischance, the fabric had been eaten of -insects, there is no question of it, how else should -it----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who saw the thing done?" interrupted -Caiaphas in a hollow tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A half score of priests who were preparing the -altar for the evening sacrifice. It was rent with a -loud noise, say they, and the Holiest place -revealed on a sudden. I have counseled that they -hold their peace; it may be that they also are -apostate, but I dare not take the steps that I would in -the matter because of the people. Of one thing -I am certain, the man is dead; in that have we -triumphed. I saw him die, and he is as assuredly -perished as are the wretched malefactors that -groaned that day on either side of his cross."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of Caiaphas blanched to the livid color -of death. "Say no more," he gasped huskily, "I -am not well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas stared at him for an instant with something -like contempt. "I will call a servant," he -said at length. "Thou shouldst drink wine to -strengthen thy heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man is strangely wrought upon by this -thing," he thought within himself as he strode -away. "He is like to a rope of sand; I must not -look to him for help. Who is there then of stout -heart and good courage? Issachar--Johanan--Alexander? they -all be like wax which the sun -hath melted. Stay! there is the young Saul of -Tarsus, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, and zealous -for the upbuilding of Israel; I will even dispatch -a swift messenger for him. He will be an -instrument of wrath in mine hand against the enemies -of the Lord Jehovah."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the sound of his footsteps died away, the -sick man raised his head. "Begone!" he said -with an irritable gesture to the servant who stood -awaiting his pleasure. "Call my wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Even as he spoke, the heavy curtains which -hung over the doorway near at hand, parted, and -the figure of a woman emerged onto the terrace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where hast thou been?" said the invalid, -fixing his sunken eyes angrily upon her. "Dost thou -not know that I cannot abide that clumsy hind, -Barak. Where is my cordial?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, my lord," said Anna soothingly, pouring -a few drops of some bright-colored liquid into -a cup. Her slender hand trembled so violently as -she did this that a portion of the contents was -spilled, and lay a crimson pool between them on -the white marble of the pavement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sick man shrank back among his pillows, -his eyes starting from his head. "Ay! there it is -again!" he muttered, huskily. "Blood, blood--the -blood of the Nazarene! I shall always see it. -Look!" he shrieked, "it is crawling towards me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman sprang forward, her face colorless. -"It is nothing!" she said, breathlessly, "nothing, -my lord! See! it is gone. Come, drink the -cordial, after that thou shalt rest; thou art weary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caiaphas looked into the cup. "It is blood," he -said, shudderingly, "yet must I drink it; God is -just!" Then he lay back among his pillows once -more, his eyes closed. After a time a faint color -crept into his livid face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman watched him patiently for a full -hour, more than once her pale lips moving as if in -prayer. From her dark eyes there seemed to stream -forth a visible radiance of love which brooded in -silent blessing over the helpless form at her side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length the sick man stirred a little, his eyes -unclosed. "Has it been told thee what hath -befallen our son?" he said, slowly and clearly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman bowed her head. "It hath been told -me," she whispered brokenly, "that his life was -ended even as----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was crucified," said Caiaphas, still in the -same slow, clear tone, "even as was the Nazarene. -God is just. Blood for blood, it is the law, and -hath been from the beginning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God is also love," said Anna, looking fearfully -into her husband's face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He returned the look with one of full intelligence. -"Do not fear," he said, gently, "it is best -that the matter hath been spoken between us; it -were like an open grave else. The madness hath -passed from my brain now, and I see---" He -paused, and so terrible a look came over his face -that his wife cried out faintly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God is love," she repeated in a low voice, -wringing her hands; "He will forgive. How -couldst thou know that the Nazarene was the -Anointed One? Yet, even he said, 'Father, -forgive them, for they know not what they do!' as -they drove the nails into his hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woman!" said Caiaphas, with something of his -old high-priestly authority, "hold thy peace, and -forget that thou hast spoken blasphemy. Didst -think then that I--I--the High Priest, was ready -to confess that the Nazarene was the Messiah of -Israel! I am ready to confess that he was an -innocent man; and I am blood-guilty in that I -brought about his death. God hath punished me -by slaying my son, even as he punished David for -his sin. After this once we will speak of the thing -no more; it shall never again be named between -us. Nor shall it be made known to any other. It -were not meet that so shameful a thing be bruited -about concerning the High Priest. Our flesh and -blood is accursed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The mother's face flushed hotly. "The lad was -innocent!" she cried. "He was sinned against -most foully, but he himself sinned not. He is in -Paradise, for he hath the word of the Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What meanest thou? Who told thee concerning -the thing?" said Caiaphas, raising himself up -and fixing his burning eyes upon her face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had it from a lad named Stephen, who was -even as a brother to him who was our son--Titus, -he was called. As he hung upon the cross in -agony, the Lord spake to him and said, 'This day -shalt thou be with me in Paradise.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is this Stephen?" said Caiaphas, in a -low, terrible voice. "And whom dost thou call Lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anna trembled with terror, she tried to speak, -but the words died upon her lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak, woman!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stephen is--the son of the Greek who took our -child. The man hath been punished for his sin. -He also perished with the Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an awful silence. Then Caiaphas -again spoke, and his voice was as the voice of a -stranger in the ears of Anna. "This Stephen, -the son of the malefactor, doth he still live?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He--lives; but, oh my husband, I beseech -thee--do not harm him, so innocent, so heavenly -a one!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But through the words of her entreaty sounded -the inexorable tones of the High Priest's voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blood for blood! The iniquities of the fathers -shall be visited upon the children, even unto the -third and fourth generations. It is the law."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-place-of-judas"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN PLACE OF JUDAS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What and if while we wait for the -fulfilment of the promise, the same men who -have slain our Lord shall also turn their hand -against us? We be few in number and there is -naught to shield us from their fury. Thou didst -see when we praised God in the temple even this -day, how the chief priests and the elders cast upon -us looks which were as sharp arrows in the hands -of mighty men of valor. Shall the wolves which -slew the Shepherd spare the flock?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hadst thou faith even as a grain of mustard -seed thou wouldst not doubt the word of the Lord, -'Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not -many days hence; depart not from Jerusalem till -that the promise is fulfilled to you!' And how -sayest thou that there is naught to shield us. God, -the Almighty One, even the Father of our Lord -Jesus, whom we saw received up into heaven, he -shall protect us from the wrath of the Jews."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath suffered me to be tempted with doubts -and fears more than most," said Thomas, glancing -fearfully at a group of men in the garb of rabbis -who were approaching them along the narrow -street. "But do not thou despise me because of -mine infirmities. The Lord said to thee, 'Thou art -Peter, the rock!' unto me he said, 'Be not faithless -but believing.' It is not easy for me to believe, it -is not easy for me to rejoice, when the Lord hath -left us alone and unfriended.--Ah! sawest thou -that look? The old man was Annas, the other was -Issachar, the cruel; but in the eyes of the young -man with them there burned a very fury of hate. -He lusteth for our blood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not before seen his face," said Peter -thoughtfully; then he turned himself about to look -after the retreating figures. As he did so the young -man of whom Thomas had spoken also turned, and -again Peter felt the indignant fire of his gaze. -"It matters not," he said after a pause, "what the -heart of man shall devise, the will of the Almighty -shall be done, on earth, as also in heaven," and he -looked upward longingly, as if he hoped to pierce -through the deeps of blue to that place whither his -Lord had gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And having come now to the place where they -were wont to gather together, they went in. It -was the same house where they had made ready -the Passover at the word of the Lord, on that awful -night in which he was betrayed. And in the large -upper room, made sacred by the memories of that -last supper with their Lord, they found them which -believed. It was to this place they had come after -they had seen the cloud receive him out of their -sight, the words of the angels yet ringing in their -ears: "This Jesus which was received up from you -into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye -beheld him going into heaven." And here day by -day they gathered to wait for the mysterious -Comforter, which was to come to them out of heaven, -they knew not how. In the hearts of some of -them burned the hope that the Comforter might be -the Lord himself, and that at last they should see -the promised kingdom of the Messiah.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There be but eleven of us whom He chose for -this ministry," said Peter, looking around on the -little assembly, which numbered about one hundred -and twenty persons. "It was needful that the -Scriptures should be fulfilled concerning Judas, -who betrayed our Lord into the hands of them that -slew him. But now he is dead, and hath gone to -his own place, and it is written in the book of the -Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate, let -no man dwell therein. His office let another -take.' Of the men therefore which have companied with -us while the Lord Jesus remained upon earth, from -the day when he received baptism in the Jordan, -unto that day in which he was taken up into heaven, -of these must one become a witness of His resurrection."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How then shall the will of God be known in -the matter?" said John gravely. "We have not -the spirit of discernment, for did we not trust -even Judas who betrayed him? Albeit the Lord -knew him from the beginning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let God himself choose!" cried Peter. "It -hath been the custom in Israel since the days of -old to decide such matters by lot. So did God -select his chosen priests from the family of Eleazar. -So also doth he chose which one shall stand by the -altar of incense in the temple."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then wrote they upon tablets of wood, every one -the name of the man he thought most holy and -acceptable, and worthy to witness with the eleven -to the resurrection of Jesus. And the tablets were -cast into a basin; and it was found that Joseph -Barsabas, called Justus, and Matthias were named. -Then Peter called these two men to stand up before -the company of the disciples, and he prayed aloud -unto the Lord in these words:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, -show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen -to take the place in this ministry and apostleship, -from which Judas fell away that he might go to -his own place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then cast they the tablets, whereon were written -the names of Justus and Matthias, into the brazen -cup; and Peter shook the cup, and the name of -Matthias leapt out, and from henceforward he was -numbered with the apostles.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As they went away from the upper room to their -abiding places, Mary the mother of Jesus, and -Salome, and Mary of Magdala together with John, -the beloved disciple, they talked with one another -of what had been done. Stephen also was with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are again twelve," said John with a sigh, -for he bethought him of the days when there was -yet another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Lord was upon earth for forty days after -that he arose from the dead," said Stephen thoughtfully, -his eyes fixed upon a bright star which shone -above the horizon like a golden lamp. "Why then -did not he himself choose one to fill the place of -Judas?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>John looked startled. "What dost thou mean?" -he said quickly, turning to look at the young man -in the half darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could he not have chosen, had he wished it? -Could he not yet choose, being set down at the -right hand of God?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And dost thou think to question the doings of -God's elect?" said John, a ring of authority in his -mild tones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my son, chide not the lad," said Mary. -"I myself doubted whether indeed the casting of -lots be pleasing to God. God hath permitted men -many things in the past because of their blindness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a practice of wicked men," cried Stephen. -"I have seen thieves do the like to apportion their -booty. And did not the Roman soldiers also at -the foot of his cross cast lots for the garments of -the crucified one?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God knoweth that we meant it aright," said -John humbly, his face full of trouble. "We have -not yet the spirit of discernment, and are as those -who stumble in the darkness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When the spirit of truth is come he will teach -you all things," said Stephen softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'And bring all things to your remembrance, -whatsoever I have taught you.' Ay! those were -his words. We have need of it, sore need; did -we not forget on that day of dread that he had -even told us, told us plainly, and many times, that -so it must be? yet had we failed to understand. -Nay! we would not understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The slight form of Mary trembled and her voice -shook as she said, "Many years hath fear been a -guest in my heart since the day Simeon said to -me--when I presented my son a babe before the -Lord, 'Behold, this child is set for the falling and -rising up of many in Israel, and for a sign which -is spoken against. Yea, and a sword shall pierce -through thine own soul, that thoughts out of many -hearts may be revealed.' The sword hath drunken -deep of my heart's blood, yet will I trust him -though he slay me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The worst hath happened for us all," said -Stephen, clasping her hand. "He is alive! He is -ascended! and yet is he with us, for he said 'Lo, I -am with you alway, even unto the end of the -world!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It cannot be then that we have gone very far -wrong," said John slowly. "It shall yet be according -to his will. If Matthias be not the elect of God -for the Apostleship, yet shall he walk with us, and -the pierced hand of the Master himself shall touch -another which as yet we know not. There were -thirteen in our fellowship while he was upon earth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And having come to the place of their abode, -they went in.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-abode-of-kings"><span class="large">CHAPTER V.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE ABODE OF KINGS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Hast thou a torch?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, but it is impossible that they be -here. Pah! I cannot abide the odor of mummies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yet must thou pass centuries in their company, -if indeed thou art fortunate enough to die in a -civilized land." And the speaker's lips widened -till they revealed a row of yellow teeth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Amu bent over and gazed steadily for a moment -into the black opening that yawned at his feet, -then he looked up at his companion. Something -in his sombre eyes caused the yellow row of teeth -to disappear. "I am going home," he said suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis good! Go back, fetch me a torch, and I -will explore for the singing bird. I am not minded -to move from this place till I shall seize her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou water?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, but thou hast a bottle at thy girdle; give -it me. Even at this moment I thirst."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Sechet! it is empty. But stay, there is a -fountain beyond the crest of yonder hill; go -quench thy thirst. I will remain till thou shalt -return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Besa hesitated; he looked steadily into the -lowering face of Amu. "Thou art in a strange humor -to-day, friend," he said at length. "I have been -patient with thee, but I will bear no more. Give -me thy flask; I will fill it at the fountain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of Amu blanched to a sickly yellow -hue. His eyes glowed with fury, but he said not a -word; with a sudden quick movement, he seized -the bridle of his mule, and leaping upon its back -galloped away towards Memphis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Besa looked after him quietly. "What may -be the meaning of all this?" he said to -himself. "Stay, let me consider for a moment. The -man comes to me and says in effect this: 'Thou -art a dealer in slaves; I can procure for thee two -of good value, a lad and a maiden. The maiden -hath a voice like to the sound of nightingales; yet -cannot I bring them to the proper purchasers.' At -the same time I, Besa, am commissioned to procure -a singing slave for the princess, who pineth in a -sickly melancholy. But what have I suffered in -the matter thus far? I have been half killed by a -fall, now am I parched with thirst, and the man -lies to me concerning his water-bottle. I saw him -fill it before we started, therefore I ventured to -leave mine own, which I could not at the moment -lay my hands upon. There is no fountain behind -the brow of yonder hill. For what purpose hath -the man lied? There is something here that I -cannot see. I will for the present forego the -matter, but there are two things to be set down for the -future, and Besa is not the man to forget."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he advanced to the opening of the tomb, -which showed black in its setting of yellow sand; -kneeling clown, he looked carefully at the stone -stairway which led down into the depths. The -sand was sifting in with each breath of the hot -desert wind. "It has been opened but a short -time," he remarked at length. "It will be a pious -act for me to replace the stone; Anubis will -reward me for it. One must not fail in duty to the -sacred dead." Then he raised his voice, "Rest -quietly, my children; there is nought to hurt thee -in the abodes of the departed. Song and -sunlight, laughter and air are needed no more by the -slaves of Anubis. His slave shalt thou be unless -thou presently come forth in answer to my cry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sound of his voice echoed in dismal -reverberations through the hollow blackness within, -but there was no sign that his words fell upon -other ears than those sealed to eternal silence -within their swathings of spiced linen. The heavy -odor of death ascended in stupefying clouds into -the face of the man as he knelt at the edge of the -tomb. He drew back a little, and the malignant -smile faded from his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The stone shall be put back," he said doggedly, -"for I believe, by my life, that they be down there. -They will live till I shall return with torches and -men. If I secure them both, I shall be avenged -also upon Amu."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forthwith he bent over and laid hold upon the -stone. It was heavy, and though the lad in his -mad fear had succeeded in shoving it to one side, -the man could with difficulty stir it a single inch. -The sun beat down in fury upon his head, the hot -wind sang in his ears with a strange sound of -buzzing insects and humming wheels. He stepped -down into the stairway, the better to grasp the -stone for another mighty effort. Suddenly a wave -as of fire swept before his eyes, his hands -relaxed their hold, he reeled a little, and then fell, -a nerveless heap, into the darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Seth and Anat, who were crouching behind -a huge sarcophagus, the sound at first signified -nothing but some fresh horror.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must cry out," urged Seth in a vehement -whisper. "We shall perish in this place, for I -cannot move the stone from beneath."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Anat held him fast. "Better slavery to -death than to such a man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth watched the shaft of yellow light that -pierced the thick darkness. "Presently," he -thought shudderingly, "it will disappear." But -the moments crept slowly by, and the sun still -poured in, revealing the countless dancing atoms -which had leapt up from the sleep of centuries -beneath the feet of the fugitives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anat," he whispered, "something has -happened; I will go and see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The blind girl held him fast for a moment -longer. She bent her head. There was no sound -save the sighing of the wind outside and the -hissing murmur of the sand as it drifted onto the -stairway of their prison. "Go," she said with a -sigh of relief, "he has departed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth rose cautiously to his feet and crept -toward the opening; his eyes had grown accustomed -to the darkness now, and he could see on either -side the vast gaudily-painted wooden cases in -which dwelt the dead. Their great eyes stared at -him as he hurried past. He stumbled presently -over something which lay at the foot of the stone -steps. Starting back with a cry he perceived that -it was the body of a man. He had fallen upon -his face in the sand and lay quite motionless. -The lad stared at him for a moment in fascinated -silence, then he bethought him that presently the -man might recover his senses. Turning, he darted -back into the darkness. "Come!" he said -breathlessly in the ear of the blind girl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Treading lightly that they might not awake the -sleeper, the two crept up the stair, not without -many a fearful backward glance at the quiet figure -which still lay on its face, the monstrous staring -eyes of the mummies looking on unmoved, and -the stealthy wind already beginning to urge the -uneasy desert to "Come, cover this man that hath -lain him down to sleep unasked in the abode of -kings!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I put the stone in its place?" said Seth, -when they had reached the upper air.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes," said the girl, clenching her thin hands. -"Let him bide there till the other shall seek him, -and if that be never, then I care not. Would he -not have left us to perish? But the gods stayed -his hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad hesitated. "He hath no water."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fetch him water then and food also if thou -wilt. Thou art soft-hearted; for myself I should -leave him as he is. Dost thou not see that it is -now that we must make good our escape? Once -the man hath recovered himself we are lost. I -can hear the bells of his beast, let us seize it and -flee away into the desert that we may find the -magician who can open the eyes of them that see not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We could not pass the wilderness, we should -perish by the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat sat down in the sand. "Thou art a man," -she said scornfully, "and therefore wise; I am as -the dust under thy feet; I have no eyes to see -with, yet shall I tell thee what shall come to pass. -Go down now to our enemy whom the gods have -smitten, raise him up and pour water into his -mouth and upon his head, then when he shall -come to himself say to him, 'Here now is thy -beast, I will set thee upon it that thou mayest ride. -As for this maid whom thou didst covet, behold -she is thine; I also will run before thee.'" And -the girl laughed aloud, and tossed her head so -that all the gold and silver coins of her necklace -clinked musically together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth looked at her indignantly. "All women -have the poison of asps under their tongues," he -muttered. "It hath been told me, and it is even -true, I have seen men beat their women for less; -it purgeth them from folly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The blind girl sprang to her feet. "Wilt thou -beat me because I have proved that thou art the -fool?" she cried, her voice choking with rage. -"Yes, let it be so, I care not, but I had thought -that thou wast not as others--that thou didst love -me, blind, useless, helpless though I be," and she -burst into a passion of weeping.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad was at her side in a moment. "I do -love thee," he murmured penitently. "I have no -other on earth, thou art my all. Come! it shall be -as thou hast said, here is the beast, with such a -pretty saddle, little one, all of crimson velvet, and -hung with bells of silver. It is thine, the gods -have given it thee. We will go away towards the -first halting place, I am sure that I can find it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat checked her sobs after a due space; she -even allowed herself to be placed upon the back of -the mule. "Have I the poison of asps under my -tongue?" she said plaintively, but with a gleam of -triumph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, by Osiris, I was a brute to say such a -thing. Rather hast thou a voice as sweet as the -voice of fountains and as the voice of thrushes that -sing by the river. But I shall place water where -our enemy can drink when he awakens; and I will -not close the stone altogether, I will leave a little -space where the sun may enter into that noisome -place. This shall be, shall it not, little sister?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat tossed her head; she made no reply. Then -Seth made haste and poured water into a cup and -set it on the step where their enemy should see it -when he awoke; he took also from his wallet a -handful of parched corn and laid it beside the cup. -Looking sidewise at the man, who still lay all along -on his face just as he had been stricken, he fancied -that he saw him stir a little, and the terror came -back upon him so that he sprang up the steps two -at a time, and with a mighty effort drew the great -stone forward over the opening, forgetting in his -fear to leave it open ever so little that the sun -might look in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After that the two fled away, their faces set -towards the great and terrible wilderness, beyond -which lay the land of their hope.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-lord-of-the-south-land"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE LORD OF THE SOUTH-LAND.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Abu Ben Hesed was a mighty man of war, -he was also rich. Ten score of camels, swift -dromedaries not a few, and horses, such that men -paid great sums of gold to possess them; flocks of -sheep and of goats; wives also and children in -plenty; all of these things, together with the -unquestioning obedience and devotion of his tribe, -did this dweller in the desert call his own.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was a tall man, and his beard descended upon -his breast in waves of silvery whiteness. Yet -were his eyes as keen as the eyes of a mountain -eagle, and there was no one of all his tribe who -could endure hunger and thirst as could Ben Hesed. -Not that it was necessary for him to so endure, for -was not he lord of all the land that lay betwixt the -mountains on the south of the great wilderness of -Shur, even unto the sea?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To satisfy the appetite is not always good," he -was wont to say to his sons. "This will the beasts -do whenever they find provender. Man alone can -say to himself, thou shalt fast because I have willed -it. Hunger thus endured maketh man king over -the beasts; thus is he set apart from them, and so -do his thoughts soar above the earth even unto the -region of the heavens, where dwelleth Ja, the maker -of the stars and also of man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this day Ben Hesed sat alone in the door of -his tent; the sun was sinking, a ball of scarlet -behind the purple rim of the horizon; a group of -camels, browsing on the scanty desert growths, -showed black against its fiery glow, their shadows -stretching long and gaunt across the sand. About -the margin of a meagre pool close at hand a cluster -of palm trees also meagre reared their heads, clasping -their dusty fronds across the water as if to hide -this sacred treasure of the desert from the fierce -wooing of the sun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The voices of the women, coming and going with -their water-jars, and the laughter and cooing of -half a score of naked brown babies, who lay -contentedly kicking up their heels in the warm sand, -came pleasantly to the ear of Abu Ben Hesed. -He cared not that the pool was meagre and the -palm trees stunted, this only made them the more -precious and wonderful, more truly the works of -Jehovah, who had set them thus in the midst of -this great and terrible wilderness, like jewels of -price. He had looked upon fruitful lands and great -rivers, upon cities also, where men dwelt by -hundreds and by thousands, and his soul had grown -sick within him at the sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was not because of their disobedience only," -he said, "that Jehovah led the children of Israel -for forty years in the desert, but also, because far -from the lustful fat earth and teeming rivers and -the abominations of stone and wood that men call -cities, he might reveal to them himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In palm-shaded fountains, in the beauty of -night and morning, and in the flowers which flourished -in the arid soil of the desert, he beheld the -love of God. In the deep valleys and solemn -mountain crests where the seething primal rock -in some remote and terrible time had gathered -itself into mighty waves and fantastic pinnacles, -only to stand still forever at the word of the Lord, -he perceived his power, and in the blinding, -scorching whirlwind of sand, before whose -withering breath nothing mortal could stand, and in -whose fiery garments the sun itself seemed -smothered, he saw the wrath of Jehovah.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Abu Ben Hesed mused thus within himself, -he became aware after a time that a man was -coming swiftly towards him out of the desert, his -garments girt about him. He slackened not his pace -till he came to the spot where Ben Hesed sat in -the door of his tent, then he cast himself down -before him and rent his garments with a loud cry -of grief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woe is me, my lord," he cried, when he could -find his breath, "I am the bearer of evil tidings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak, my son," said Ben Hesed, who had -recognized in the man one of his herdsmen. -"What hath befallen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thine enemy who dwells in the south-land hath -fallen upon the flocks this day and hath carried -away of the herds a goodly number, of she-camels -also and their foals, three, and of the horses, the -stallion Dekar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And thou livest to tell me this," said Ben -Hesed, his eyes burning with anger. "Why didst -thou not defend the flocks?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woe is me!" repeated the man, casting the -dust upon his head. "I have not yet told the worst; -we fought valiantly, and thy son Eri is slain, -together with Kish, the herdsman. When this -befell, we fled before the face of the enemy; the -flocks also and the herds are scattered as the sand -of the desert before the wind, and there is nought -to hinder them from falling into the hand of the -oppressor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Abu Ben Hesed arose and rent his clothes -and cast dust upon his head. "Jehovah hath -caused me to be smitten," he said. "Nevertheless -all his ways are right ways. I should have watched -for mine enemy, for he hath grown lusty and -flourishing of late. I will get me after him and -smite him till he shall cry aloud for succor. Jehovah -grant me my desire upon mine enemy! Alas for -my son Eri! He hath been murderously cut down -in the flower of his youth! From the bright -morning of his days he hath been plunged suddenly into -the night of death. But behold, his blood crieth to -me for vengeance out of the desert. Let us make -haste!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The terrible news spread throughout the encampment, -withering the peaceful evening joy, like the -hot breath of a Sirocco. The women ceased their -gay incessant chatter and broke into loud wailing, -and the frightened children wept with fear at the -sound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alas! Alas!" cried the mother of the dead -man. "Alas for my son! He was straight and -comely as a palm tree, beautiful also, and pleasant -in his speech. Woe! Woe! He will no more open -his mouth with kindness, nor will his lips break -forth with singing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woe! Woe!" shrilled the other women, rocking -to and fro, and casting the ashes from the dying -fire upon their dishevelled heads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Morning and evening hath he led forth the -flocks!" moaned the mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will lead them forth no more!" wailed her -companions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Alas for the betrothed maiden! She is desolate, -even as a widow without little ones hath -she become!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woe! Woe!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Through all the clamor of the wailing sounded -the clashing of weapons and the neighing of horses, -as the men with set teeth and lowering brows made -ready for the pursuit of their enemy. Within the -hour they departed, a hundred strong, the swift -hoofs of their horses casting up the dust of the -desert behind them, as they vanished, a war-cloud -big with storm, into the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before dawn Abu Ben Hesed had seen his -desire upon his enemy. They had discovered the -marauders as they were making merry with their -spoil, and had fallen upon them suddenly, so that -they had no time to escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eyes of Ben Hesed were terrible to look -upon as he cut down the flying wretches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let no one of them escape!" he cried aloud. -"Slay and spare not!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Afterward they gathered the spoil of the dead, -together with their own stolen possessions and -turned their faces once more toward the north. -The heart of Ben Hesed was as lead within his bosom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After all," he thought, "what doth it profit to -revenge oneself on an enemy? My son is not -restored, nor is my herdsman. Yet it is the law, -blood for blood, and the law is good." He raised -his eyes wearily, and looked away toward the east, -where the dawn was beginning with solemn pomp -and splendor. Long rays of tremulous light -flickered athwart the cold, clear blue of the -heavens, the morning star burned pallid amidst the -growing radiance, till at last it was swallowed up -and lost in the oncoming flood of day. Abu Ben -Hesed looked down at his clothing and at his hands -which were red with the blood of his enemies. He -loathed himself at that moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see something yonder which resembles a -man," said his eldest son, who rode beside him. -"Also a beast, lying down. What can it be, think -you, my lord? Another of our enemies who hath -perchance escaped us in the darkness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Abu Ben Hesed turned his eyes in the direction -to which the man pointed. "It is death," he said -quietly. "The vultures are already gathering to -the feast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I have seen the figure move. Shall I go -and see what the thing may be?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go, my son; if the man be alive, slay him not, -but bring him to me unhurt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The son of Abu obeyed, drawing near the object -and circling about it cautiously that he might view -it from every side. Presently he dismounted and -walked quite up to the thing, his horse following -at his heels, and snuffing at the air suspiciously. -Two or three great birds with bare flabby necks -and red eyes, rose slowly from the ground at his -approach and flapped heavily away, croaking -dismally. They had been busy on the carcass of a -mule, which lay dead upon the sand, its gay saddle -of crimson velvet hung with silver bells, befouled -and draggled. At a little distance, and quite -motionless, was a heap of parti-colored drapery, -from which protruded a slender brown foot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A child!" said Ben Abu. "Two of them," -he added as he pulled aside the striped covering of -cotton cloth which concealed their faces. "Dead -from thirst," was his verdict after he had turned -them over and had noted with a certain dimness of -his keen vision, their swollen tongues and the -goat-skin water-bottle which lay beside the lad quite -empty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he stood up and blew a long blast on the -ram's horn which he carried at his girdle.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-pharisee-from-tarsus"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE PHARISEE FROM TARSUS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Oh, that Jehovah would rend the heavens; -that Israel might see his righteousness! -My heart burneth within me as a live coal. I -cannot sleep because of these things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God hath given thee this spirit, my son, -because of the peril of his chosen. He shall greatly -prosper the work of thine hand." Annas uttered -these words in a low, smooth voice, drawing his -long silvery beard through his delicate fingers and -looking keenly from under his half-closed eyelids -at the dark, eager face before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I could only help on the day of his coming!" -said the young man, rising and pacing restlessly up -and down the floor, his hands clasped behind him, -his head sunken upon his breast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he walked thus, the eyes of the older man -followed him with a peculiar satisfaction. They -rested approvingly on the strong athletic figure, on -the bent head crisped with dark curls, on the stern -brow and fiery eyes, and the clear, strongly-cut -features.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From my youth have I been struggling to keep -the law with this one end in view!" continued the -speaker. "If I, even I, might be he who shall by -his holy living, by the exact fulfilling of the law of -the Almighty, bring the Messiah! But the flesh -is weak, I know not how I have offended. Of the -two hundred and forty-eight commands and the -three hundred and sixty-five prohibitions, I have -not broken one knowingly for many days. But -there has always been failure, a drop of unclean -water, perchance, on the dish from which I have -eaten, or my robe has touched one who is polluted -and I knew it not, or I myself in all my zeal have -omitted something. It must be all or nothing in -the eyes of him who is God of gods, infinite, -unsearchable, who knoweth all things. What is man -that he can please him who sitteth on the circle of -the heavens?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas smiled behind his hand. "The zeal of -thine house hath eaten me up," he quoted piously. -"Truly, my son, it giveth me heartfelt joy to -perceive such holy aspirations in so young a man. -Now do I know that God was with me when I was -moved to send for Saul of Tarsus. As for me, I -am an old man. I can no longer support all the -rigor of the law, else would my flesh fail me. -'Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken -than the fat of rams,' as it is written also in the -law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is that alone to which I press forward--obedience -to the law. Thou knowest--why should I -even speak of the matter to thee, my father, that if -one person only can for a single day keep the whole -law and not offend in one point, nay, if but one -person could for once perfectly keep the Sabbath of the -Lord our God, then--then the Messiah would come. -Then would the Lord dwell once more among his -people in visible form. Then would we tread our -enemies under our feet, then would the Holy of -Holies be filled with glory so that Jerusalem should -shine as a bride prepared for her husband. Oh, -Lord! when shall these things be? 'Why dost -thou tarry? Why is thy holy city defiled by the -Gentiles?'" The speaker paused and lifted his -face as if to listen for some word from the -unanswering heavens.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The deep tones of the old man broke the silence. -"These things can never be until Jerusalem is -purged of the followers of that blasphemer, who -hath of late paid the just penalty of his crimes on -the accursed tree. Take counsel with me, my -son, and I will tell thee how thou shalt hasten this -day of which thou hast spoken. 'With thine -eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the -wicked. The Lord will not cast off his people, -neither will he forsake his inheritance.' He -speaks to thee, my son, through the words of my -mouth, listen therefore, 'Judgment shall return -unto righteousness, and all the upright in heart -shall follow it. But who will rise up for me against -the evil doers; who will stand up for me against the -workers of iniquity?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will stand against the workers of iniquity," -answered the young man solemnly. "I will -utterly crush them and cast them out, even as did -Elijah in the day when he slew the prophets of -Baal at the brook Kishon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Upon thee, my son, hath the mantle of the -prophet fallen, and into thy hand will I commit -this work. Only must thou submit thyself to my -direction in the matter, for I know the ways of -this people and of this city as thou dost not. -Listen therefore while I shall speak to thee of -what we must accomplish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speak! for my spirit burns within me. I long -to come up to the help of the Lord against the -mighty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast well said the mighty, my son, for -strange and terrible things have happened. Thou -hast already heard how that suddenly out of the -hill country of Galilee there arose a man called -Jesus of Nazareth. He was a carpenter, and the -son of a carpenter, he wrought also at his trade -blamelessly enough until he was about thirty years -of age. After that he took to himself certain -men of the baser sort, gathered from among -ignorant fisher folk, and even publicans; these men he -called his disciples. Then went he forth and -began to teach strange and ungodly doctrines to -the people. He taught them that the Sabbath -was not to be observed after the law, that the -priests and rabbis were hypocrites; yea, he even -said that we were as whited sepulchres, fair to look -upon, but within full of dead men's bones and all -uncleanness. Extortioners also he called us and -unjust." And the speaker's voice shook with -passion. "He pretended to do wondrous miracles, -and all manner of wild tales began to fill the -mouths of the common people. Even of our own -number were led after him certain ones--Joseph -of Arimathea--may God smite him, and Nicodemus -also, so thou canst perceive the cunning of -the Evil One. He came boldly up to Jerusalem -at the time of feasts, he even made pretense of -keeping the feasts also with his disciples, yet was -he always undermining the law and teaching -others so. Repeatedly did he heal on the Sabbath day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What meanest thou?" said the young man, -knitting his dark brows. "Did he heal then, of a -truth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas hesitated a moment, he shifted uneasily -about in his place. "Thou wilt hear wondrous -tales of his doings," he said at length, dropping -his eyes to the floor. "But--" and his voice -gathered firmness, "it is all lies--all lies. The -man paid money to vile beggars to pretend that -they were blind and halt, then, forsooth, he loosed -them from their infirmities."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was reported in Tarsus that he had raised a -man from the dead," said Saul, fixing his candid -dark eyes on the downcast face of his companion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Reported?--yes! I also heard of the marvel. -The High Priest sent his servant, Malchus, to -inquire into the matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why did he not go himself?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What need? the man was faithful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is this Malchus? I should like to speak -with him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas looked alarmed. "The man hath died -since," he said, frowning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What said he of the matter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What could an honest man say?" replied Annas -with a crafty smile. "Can a carpenter build anew -the life which God hath taken out of a man? But -I have not told thee all. This carpenter also -declared that he was the Messiah."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was silence in the room for a moment, -broken only by the quickened breathing of the -young man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He said further in the presence of the holy -Council of the Sanhedrim that he was the Son of -God, the King of Israel, and that hereafter he -would come in the clouds of heaven to judge the -earth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul of Tarsus sprang to his feet, lightnings -played within his eyes. "Blasphemer!" he cried -in a choked voice. "Why did not Jehovah smite -him to the earth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jehovah did smite him by the hand of his -servants; not many hours after he had uttered those -sayings he died the accursed death--But hark! I -hear a sound of turmoil; what hath befallen? Alas -for Jerusalem! she is sorely vexed by the heathen -within her gates. Ever and anon the Roman -soldiers smite the inhabitants and there is the clash -of weapons and the shedding of blood even at the -very gates of the temple."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His companion glanced out of the window. "The -people are running from every direction," he said -eagerly. "Let us see what hath happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go thou, my son. I must needs sanctify -myself for the temple service."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Descending into the street and following the -steps of the hurrying stragglers, the young man -soon found himself in the meaner and more -crowded portions of the city. Here the narrow -streets were choked with people, all running, -pushing, struggling towards a common centre.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Pharisee of Tarsus shrank back with disgust -into the doorway of a synagogue near at hand, and -from this coign of vantage looked forth on the -crowd. The white turbans of Jewish rabbis, the -red-bronze faces of Egyptian camel drivers, and the -gay robes of Asiatic merchants all mingled in the -shifting mazes of the multitude. A jargon of -tongues also, like the buzzing of a gigantic swarm -of bees, filled the air. From somewhere not far -away, he could hear the loud tones of a man's voice, -rising and falling as if in passionate exhortation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What hath befallen?" he asked at length of -a man dressed in the garb of a Greek sailor, who, -like himself, had sought refuge in the doorway of -the synagogue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fire from heaven hath fallen on the followers -of the Nazarene," replied the man, without -looking around.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou mean the followers of the man called -Jesus, who hath lately perished on the cross?" -said Saul, regardless for once of the defilement -which he brought upon himself by speaking with -this Gentile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The same," replied the Greek, glancing -carelessly at his questioner. "The man Jesus was a -worker of miracles. He revived after being buried -three days, and went up bodily to dwell with the -God of the Jews."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dog of a Gentile," cried Saul angrily, "thou -art accursed because thou art a Gentile, but doubly -accursed because thou hast also blasphemed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Greek shrugged his shoulders. "Do I care -for thee, Jew?" he said, showing his white teeth -in a wicked laugh. "Thou also art accursed, and -thy temple shall be torn down, so that not one -stone shall stand upon another. I heard the -Nazarene say it, and, by Bacchus, I believe it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt be scourged, fellow, and thy -scurrilous tongue cut from thy head," hissed Saul -between his shut teeth. "I am a Roman, and I -will see to it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this the man turned pale, for all his swarthy -skin. With a sudden, quick movement, he snatched -his garments from the grasp of the Pharisee and -fled away into the crowd, doubling and twisting -under the arms and betwixt the legs of the -half-naked barbarians till he was lost to view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul looked after him for a moment in speechless rage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a stranger, then, in Jerusalem," said -a voice at his side, "and knowest not what wonders -have come upon the Holy City--wonders and -terrors also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young Pharisee turned and looked at the -speaker. He was a Jew, and wore a broad -phylactery upon his arm. "I have heard all," he said -shortly. "But what hath befallen the followers -of the man? The knave yonder said that fire -from heaven had fallen upon them; I hope that -they be burned to ashes, as were the dwellers in -Sodom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are unharmed," said the newcomer -gravely. "If, indeed, fire hath fallen upon them, -it was a fire that enlightened their understanding, -for even now they are preaching to the people of -the risen Galilean, so that of all these foreigners -every man hears in his own tongue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, son of Abraham," cried another voice, -"the men are drunken with new wine, and babble -as is the custom of wine-bibbers and gluttons."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul recognized in the speaker one of the -members of the Sanhedrim. "Why then do ye, who -are in authority, suffer such unseemly conduct in -these men? Why not deal with them also as thou -hast dealt with their Master?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art zealous," said the other in a low -voice, and with a gesture of caution. "Yet would -such measures be untimely. This," indicating the -mixed multitude with a contemptuous wave of his -hand, "is a beast, which hath not been tamed -either by the church nor yet by the Romans. -When it hath tired of these babblers it will rend -them, even as it rent the Nazarene, for it was this -very multitude that shrieked, 'Crucify him! crucify -him!' for the space of three hours. Come, let us -be going. We defile ourselves by remaining in -this place."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-believer-in-the-nazarene"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BELIEVER IN THE NAZARENE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"If only I had been there, perchance upon even -me might a little of the blessing have fallen. -And yet, was it not by the mercy of the all-seeing -One that I was chained to the side of him who -slew Jesus? We are one flesh, as it is written in -the law; if he is accursed, I also am accursed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Knowest thou our Lord so little that thou dost -believe what thou hast said?" said Stephen, a -smile dawning in his dark eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The wife of Caiaphas wiped away one or two -slow tears. "How can I know him?" she asked -bitterly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Once when Jesus was upon earth," said -Stephen, looking away towards Calvary, which -they could see plainly from their breezy nook on -the terrace, "he said this--I did not hear it--but -John, whom Jesus called the beloved; one of the -disciples, had asked the Master how they should -pray, and he told them the very words they might -use acceptably; but he also said, If thou hast -desires bring them to the Father. He will give to -thee even as an earthly father, and much more; if -a child should come to his father and ask for bread -will that father offer him a stone? or if he crave -fish, will he thrust a deadly scorpion into his hand? -How much more then will your heavenly Father -give his spirit to them that ask him. It was -because we asked that it was given. Thou also -shalt ask and shalt receive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou tell me about it?" said Anna, in -a low voice, fixing her eyes wistfully upon the -speaker.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was no longer a lad, she could see it; the -awful experiences through which his soul had -passed had swept him suddenly and forever away -from childhood. His child nature had been -crucified with those whom he loved, and upon his face -there had come a look such as the strong young -angels wear who wait in the presence of the -Almighty to do his pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We were together in the upper room," said -Stephen, after a little silence, "the disciples, the -mother of Jesus, and all the others. After we -had eaten of the bread and drunken of the -wine--also he commanded to do in remembrance of -his death--we continued in prayer, sometimes -spoken, sometimes in silence--for there is no need -to speak aloud to reach him who is 'with us alway -even unto the end of the world.' He was there, -though we could not see him. All of us knew it; -and we asked him for the fulfilment of his last -promise--the Spirit, that we being weak, might -receive power to be his witnesses before men. -John the beloved spoke to him, after that there -was silence for a brief space, then on a sudden -there came a sound, faint at first, but growing -louder by degrees till it filled all the place. It was -like nothing I have heard upon earth, and yet was -it most like the sound of the viewless wind when -it rushes through the thick forest. But it was not -wind. I knelt at the side of the Lord's mother, -my eyes were upon her at the moment, and the -light tresses that fell about her forehead did not so -much as stir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was that all?" whispered Anna, leaning -forward and clasping her hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As I kept my eyes fixed upon Mary," continued -Stephen--"for it seemed to me that she was -looking at Him--I saw form in the air above her -head a tremulous light, it wavered and brightened -till it had the look of a cloven tongue of flame. As -I feared and trembled greatly at the sight, on a -sudden a voice cried out, 'The promise hath been -fulfilled unto us!' Then did I see that upon every -head hovered the heavenly fire."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then," cried the young man, a great joy -in the solemn tones of his voice, "all things were -made clear to us. We knew what the Lord meant -when he said 'Ye shall be witnesses unto me both -in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and -unto the uttermost parts of the earth.' We were no -longer filled with fear, thinking only how to escape -the hands of them that had murdered our Lord--nay, -rather, that in the infinite and unsearchable -knowledge and wisdom of the Father had lifted -him up upon the cross to be a light unto the -world. We rushed out into the street, and the -Spirit also drew together out of all the city devout -men from every nation under heaven. They -gathered in a great multitude that they might hear of -the Saviour, not of the Jews only, but of the -world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How, then, could they understand?" asked -Anna, her worn face reflecting the glow upon the -face of the young man, as the mountain top clad -in its pallor of eternal snow reflects the radiance -of the dawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the weakness of mortal understanding -when the eternal God sheds upon it his spirit of -might? Did he not make the tongue of the -Asiatic as well as the tongue of the Greek; the -tongues of the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites -also, as well as the tongue of the Hebrews? -Are not all languages understood by him? He -spake through us, and behold, every man heard -the message in his own language. After that did -Peter speak unto the people, and he mightily -convinced them, so that many cried out, 'What shall -we do?' 'Repent and be baptized,' he answered -them, 'every one of you, in the name of Jesus, the -Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall -receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise -is unto you, and to your children, and to all that -are afar off."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Said he this to the Gentiles?" asked Anna, in amaze.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked troubled. "Nay," he said, "I -know not if they were Gentiles, they had by inheritance -a part in the blessing, even as I had through -my mother; but of a surety God created all men. -It will be made plain to us," he added, after a -pause, a smile of heavenly sweetness touching his -lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And who is it that the wife of the High Priest -honors thus with her hospitality?" broke in a -sneering voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anna started up with a faint cry, her eyes fixed -with manifest terror on the gaunt figure that stood -before them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! thou dost not answer. Didst thou think, -then, that I should remain chained to my couch -forever? I am minded to see what is passing in -my house. It is time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do not stand," gasped Anna. "Thou art not -strong. I thought that thou wast asleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Time hasteneth with rapid foot when a lady -entertains so comely a young man," said the High -Priest with a terrible gentleness. "Once more I -ask of thee, who is thy guest?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen had risen to his feet and was looking -with troubled eyes into the face of her whom he -had learned to love almost as a mother. He -waited for her to speak. Her lips moved, but no -sound came from them. He turned and fixed his -eyes upon the man. "I know not who thou art," -he said in a clear voice, "nor why thou dost -question this beloved lady so harshly, but I can answer -for myself. My name is Stephen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The High Priest took a step forward; he did not -speak, but death looked out from his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go! Go!" whispered Anna, turning her white -face upon the young man. "Thou dost not -understand, but go!--I beseech thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I will not go till I am assured of thy safety. -Who, and what manner of man is this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The smouldering fire in the eyes of Caiaphas -leapt up into a lurid blaze. "Dost thou, the -murderer of my son, defy me in mine own house?" he -cried in a choked voice. "Because thou art in -mine house, I will not kill thee, but--" and his -voice died away into a silence more terrible than -speech.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go!" repeated Anna imploringly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Stephen did not appear to have heard. -"What dost thou mean?" he said, his voice full of -horror. "Thou hast called me a murderer!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The High Priest looked at him contemptuously. -"Son of a malefactor, dost thou not know -that upon thy head rests the blood-guilt of thy -father?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No!" thundered Stephen, his eyes blazing. -"The fire of God could not rest upon a head -whereon is also blood-guilt. I am innocent; God -hath witnessed it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Accursed murderer and blasphemer!" hissed -Caiaphas. "Get thee hence, or not even the -sacred law of hospitality shall refrain my hand -from thy throat." Then he sank trembling onto a -bench.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>True to her wifely instincts, Anna sprang to -help him, but he put her away roughly. "Stand -before me, woman," he said, fixing his savage eyes -upon her. "Thou shalt answer me somewhat that -I shall ask of thee. Now that the murderer of thy -son hath rid us of his presence thou canst perhaps -attend to what I shall say." Anna stood before -him, motionless and rigid, her eyes wide with an -unnatural calm fixed upon his face. "Hast thou -known who and what this young man is before -to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou before received him into my house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he a follower of the accursed Nazarene?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art--thou--also one of his believers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A change swept over the marble features of the -woman, she lifted her face, a mysterious light from -above seemed to shine upon it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am," she said simply, but in those two words -there sounded a very pean of triumph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone," said -Caiaphas in a low measured voice, "thou art -anathema. As I would cut off my right hand -should it become polluted beyond cleansing, so -also will I sever thee from my life. Get thee -hence unto thine own; thou hast no longer part -nor lot with me from henceforth and even forever. -And so let it be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman looked dumbly into the pitiless face -of the man before her; her slight figure swayed a -little, then noiselessly as a snow wreath she fell -forward and lay prone upon the marble pavement -at his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man stared at the silent figure; he did not -touch it. After a time he arose and walked -heavily away without once looking behind him.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-desert-encampment"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE DESERT ENCAMPMENT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Thou mayest fetch the lad and the maiden and -set them in my presence. I would question -them of this thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman bowed herself humbly before her -lord and retired; presently she returned, leading -by the hand a slight figure clad in the shapeless -blue gown of an Egyptian peasant girl. Behind -lagged with unwilling feet a half-grown lad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Abu Ben Hesed fixed his piercing eyes upon the -twain. "Thou mayest go till I shall call thee," he -said to the woman. She lingered yet a moment to -whisper, "The maid is blind, my lord!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come hither, my son," said Ben Hesed after a -short survey of his two guests, "and tell me how it -befell that thou wast in the desert alone? Didst -thou know," he added somewhat severely, "that -thou wast brought to the borders of the -encampment only that thou mightest be buried safe from -the vultures? Had not one of the women discerned -signs of life, when no other eye could see it, thou -wouldst even now be sleeping beneath the sand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boy shuddered slightly; he opened his lips -as though to speak, but the girl broke out impetuously:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I alone am in fault," she cried. "It was I who -would not listen to my brother when he said, 'we -shall perish by the way if we go forth into the -wilderness.' It is true," she continued, turning to -the lad, "folly dwelleth in the heart of a woman. -I am minded to let thee beat me. I have deserved it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Abu Ben Hesed smiled in the midst of his great -beard, but the smile looked also out of his eyes, so -that the lad was emboldened to speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We fled before the face of an enemy," he said, -looking squarely into the bright eyes of the man -before him. "He would have made slaves of us in -the city; death in the wilderness is better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken a word of wisdom when thou -hast so said, my son," cried Ben Hesed, his eyes -flashing. "And who is it that would have caged -the wild eaglets of the desert?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not," replied the lad. "I saw not the -man, I only heard him speak. We were hidden in -the abiding place of the dead; he would have shut -us up there to perish, but Sechet smote him in the -act and we left him on his face in the sand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art Egyptian," said Ben Hesed after a -pause. "How comes it that thou canst speak the -tongue of the desert?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was my mother's language; my father was a -Greek."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where then are thy parents?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dead, many years dead," said the boy looking -down, and digging his bare toes into the hot sand. -A single tear rolled swiftly down his brown cheek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed saw it, his keen eyes softened. "No -longer shalt thou look for a place to bide in safety -from thine enemy," he said gently. "Where else -should the young eaglets fly but to the nest of their -kind? Thou art safe here, my children."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art good," replied the lad simply; "but--my -sister is blind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not ignorant of that, my son," said Ben -Hesed with a stately inclination of his head. -"There is no need that she labor with her hands. -Plenty dwells within the borders of my land, -though it be not the plenty of Egypt; there is no -lack of either flesh nor bread, nor yet of the milk -of many herds. Thou art strong, son, and thou -shalt labor as becomes a man; the maid shall -dwell with the women. Go now in peace, and -think of thy past distresses no more," and he -waved his hand in token of dismissal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, Anat," said the lad, drawing her gently -away. "It is impossible for us to repay thee thy -goodness," he added, lingering wistfully. "Yet--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no need," said Ben Hesed, a slight -shade of impatience in his tone. "Go now, my -son will tell thee of thy duties."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, brother, do not hold me, I must tell him," -cried Anat. "We cannot remain here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How now, damsel, art thou not satisfied with -what thou hast received at my hands?" and Ben -Hesed drew his bushy brows together with the -look before which his wives, his children and his -tribe were wont to tremble.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth also trembled. "I pray thee, my lord," he -said, instinctively bowing himself almost to the -ground, "that thou wilt not deal harshly with the -maid, my sister. She is blind, and we were -seeking a great magician who can heal blindness by a -word. Thou knowest that it is an evil thing not -to look upon the sun, and upon the stars, and upon -the faces of one's kind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed was silent for a moment. He looked -keenly into the lad's flushed face. "It is in Egypt -that the magicians dwell," he said at length. "Hast -thou not heard how Moses, the mighty man of -God, fetched out the Israelites with a strong hand -from among the Egyptians; how he worked marvels -also and great plagues with the rod of God, -and the magicians of Egypt did so with their -enchantments, save certain things which they could -not do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know not Moses," said the boy, shaking his -head. "Though I have heard many marvels of -the great gods of the Greeks and Romans also. -Yet is there no magician in Egypt who can cure -blindness, for the land is full of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And wherefore didst thou look for this magician -in the wilderness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man said that he dwelt beyond the -wilderness and that his name was Jesus," said Anat in -her low, sweet voice. "I have not forgotten the -name, Jesus. He healed the man, he will also -heal me if only I can find him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed fingered his beard for a time in -silence. "What manner of man Was he that told -thee of this thing?" he said at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He came out of the desert on a swift dromedary," -replied Seth. "He was of great stature and -his beard descended upon his breast. I gave him -to drink of my goat-skin. He said, moreover, that -the magician dwelt at Jerusalem."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A year ago I went up to the Holy City," said -Ben Hesed, "that I might offer sacrifices in the -temple. I care not to go again. God is a God of -the wilderness; he answers also in the wilderness. -Of the rocks of the desert have I builded me an -altar, even as did Abraham in the days of old. -Jerusalem is desolate and her holy places are -waste. Why should I go any more into a temple -which is daily defiled by the feet of wicked men?" The -voice of the speaker shook with passion as he -said the last words. Then his head dropped upon -his breast and his lips moved, though no sound -came from them. The children waited before him -in silence, not daring to move.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After what seemed to her a long time, Anat -allowed a long-drawn sigh to escape her, by way of -a delicate reminder of their presence. "Thou -wast in Jerusalem?" she ventured timidly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked up; something in the flower-like -beauty and innocence of the child-face, guarded -by its pathetic, unseeing eyes, moved him strangely. -The gloom lifted from his brow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was in Jerusalem," he said gravely, "and I -saw this man Jesus with mine own eyes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat clasped her hands joyfully. "Ah! then thou -canst tell us of him. Dost thou think that he -would heal me? I have no money nor treasure to -give him, except this," and she laid her fingers on -the necklace of coins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He would not ask thee for treasure, my child," -said Ben Hesed, "for I saw him heal a beggar, -who lay upon his bed unable to move, and the man -gave him no reward. I came away from Jerusalem -in that same hour and saw him no more. I have -thought since that sometime I will again seek for -him, though I need not to be healed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a good word that thou hast given to us," -said Anat in a tone of joyful conviction; "and now -wilt thou further give a handful of parched corn -that we may eat by the way. My brother will fill -the goat-skin with water, and we will depart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou not afraid of the vultures, little one?" -asked Ben Hesed with a grave smile. "And how -will the flint of the desert bruise those tender feet -of thine now that thy beast is dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth looked depressed. "We cannot go," he -said at length, "my goat-skin is not sufficient, and -we do not know the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, but we must go!" cried Anat impetuously. -"I care not for the vultures, and we have -already come a great distance. Did I whine or -complain when we thirsted?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou didst not; but could I bear again to see -thee sink to the earth, thy tongue like a parched -leaf within thy mouth? And the vultures--thou -could'st not see them, but it was horrible--horrible! -They stared at us with their red eyes, they -waited for us to die. I kept up as long as I was -able and drove them away, then did I call aloud -upon the god of the land to save us; after that I -hid our faces, and waited for Anubis to take us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The God of the land heard thee, boy," said -Ben Hesed solemnly, "for he is not a god like to -the gods of the Egyptians. He saved thee, even -as he saved the child Ishmael, whom Abraham -cast forth into the desert to die. In the desert -also did the child Ishmael remain; and God made -out of him a great nation which hath ruled over -the wilderness until this day. Ay! and shall rule -as long as the desert itself remains, for his word -is from everlasting to everlasting. Listen now to -what I shall say unto thee: thou shalt go in search -of this man Jesus, for I believe that he is able to do -this thing whereof thou hast spoken. I will send -thee to the borders of Judæa with food and water -and beasts of burden also, that ye perish not by -the way; after that shall ye with ease find Jerusalem, -for the way is not long and the land is fertile. -Enter freely into the villages and ask for bread, -the inhabitants will not say thee nay. And when -the maid shall be healed of her blindness, -perchance thou wilt again remember the wilderness; -return if thou wilt. To-morrow shalt thou set forth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will return, my lord," said the lad, "and by -all the gods of the sacred Nile, I swear unto thee -that hereafter I will serve thee as a bondman -during the years of my life--if it be thy will; because -thou hast saved us from death, and because of all -thy goodness unto us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, rather, thou shalt be to me in the place -of my son Eri, whom God hath taken from me," -said Ben Hesed. "Go now in peace, and rest -until the morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the two were feasted that night, because that -they had found favor in the eyes of Ben Hesed. -And afterward they slept soundly in the tent of -goat's hair, beneath the striped blanket with which -they had hidden themselves from the fierce eyes of -vultures. And Seth dreamed that he had grown -to be a man, and that he was riding upon a swift -horse, the wild desert winds blowing in his face, -and he laughed aloud in his dream for joy. But to -the blind girl came a gentler vision of one who -laid a healing hand upon her sightless eyes, and -behold! she saw the face of him that had healed -her, but it was not the face of a mortal, for upon -it shone a light beyond the light of the sun.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-white-dromedary"><span class="large">CHAPTER X.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WHITE DROMEDARY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Long before the first streaks of light in the -east proclaimed the dawn, Seth was awake. -Outside he could hear the grunting of the sleepy -camels, as their drivers aroused them to fasten the -heavy loads on their patient backs. He raised the -flap of the tent and looked out. A keen sparkle -of stars overhead and a whiff of cold air greeted -him. Yet he knew that it must be near the time -to start, and he felt a thrill of boyish excitement -at the prospect. Among the dark figures which -were moving about near the dying fire he thought -he could distinguish that of Ben Hesed himself. -Presently he slipped out, leaving Anat peacefully -asleep. Shivering a little in the cool breeze, he -made his way towards the place where the most -active preparations were in full tide of progress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Make haste!" he heard in the authoritative -tones of Ben Hesed's voice. "Thou shouldst have -prepared the water-skins last night. Feasting is -good, but fasting is better, since it giveth diligence -rather than sloth. I would not that ye press on -through the fiercest of the midday heat," he added; -"the maid hath imperfectly recovered as yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will walk with the drivers, my lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, not so. Thou shalt put the saddle upon -Mirah, it will suffice for both."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Marvelling greatly at this mark of favor, the -men brought the great white dromedary, the -favorite of her master, and threw upon her the broad -saddle, gay with scarlet leather and tinkling bells.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth stared with amazement and delight at the -docile beast that stood with outstretched neck -snuffing at the fresh wind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou make of such favor to these -beggar brats?" said one of the men in low tones -to his companion, as he bent to fasten the saddle -girth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I know not; 'tis a marvel," answered the -other, looking cautiously about him. "Adah told -me last night that he had promised to take the lad -after his return in the place of his son Eri."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, sayest thou so? Let me tell thee then -that the lad will not return. Why should such a -thing be, when the son of his sister is among his -tried followers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wilt thou do to prevent it, son of my -lord's sister," said the other, with a low chuckle--"and -a kid slain also, in the very midst of the -mourning, that the heathen beggars might be -feasted!" he added with malicious enjoyment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth prudently drew back in the darkness quite -unnoticed, but not before a fragment of the reply -reached him; it was this, and it filled him with -vague alarms. "What befell the lad Joseph in the -days when he dreamed dreams, may also again -happen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Who was the lad Joseph, he wondered, and what -befell him? But he presently forgot this in the -bustle and excitement of starting forth upon their -journey. Anat had been aroused, and the two, -perched securely on the back of the gentle Mirah, -were the centre of a group of women, some -of whom held up their little ones to see, while -others pushed parcels of fruit into the hand of the -blind girl, wishing them prosperity in their journeyings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length all was ready, the last strap adjusted, -the last farewell spoken, and the little cavalcade, -consisting of some three or four camels and as -many men, moved slowly away, followed by the -stately Mirah, the two children, unaccustomed to -the peculiar swinging motion of her gait, clinging -fast to the saddle and scarcely remembering to look -back into the kind faces of their rescuers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All that day they traveled, stopping only for a -brief space at the noontide hour. Seth, remembering -the command of Ben Hesed, wondered a little -at this, but he said nothing. In the man who -seemed to be in command of the expedition, the -lad had recognized with a feeling of uneasiness the -one who had spoken the mysterious words, "What -befell the lad Joseph may also again happen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou ever heard of the lad Joseph?" he -said to Anat, when they were once more under -way. They had grown somewhat accustomed to -the long, swinging strides of the dromedary now, -and were consequently more at their ease.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The lad Joseph?" repeated Anat, in her clear, -penetrating voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hist! do not let them hear thee. Yes, the lad -Joseph, something strange befell him; it is a legend -perhaps. I heard it spoken of in yonder encampment; -thou knowest many such tales, for myself -I have no mind to remember them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is the great canal of Joseph in the land -of Egypt, as thou knowest," said Anat, after a few -moments of thought; "there is a tale concerning -him who caused it to be made, I know not how -long ago. I have heard it many times from our -mother. He was a great prince----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, then he was not the one; it is of the lad -Joseph, and what befell him, that I wish to know," -broke in Seth impatiently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou wilt hold thy peace, water-carrier," -replied Anat with dignity, "I will tell thee the tale -as it was told me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayest say on; it will help pass away the time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was a great prince," resumed Anat, still -with dignity, "but he was also a lad first. I had -the tale from our mother. As I have said, it was -told to her when she was a maid and dwelt in the -borders of the wilderness; it is a true tale. As a -lad this Joseph dwelt in the wilderness, the -youngest of twelve brethren, the others were grown men; -they hated Joseph and were envious of him because -their father, who was very rich, gave him many -things which they received not, an embroidered -tunic, a chain of silver, and such like. The lad also -dreamed dreams----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!" exclaimed Seth eagerly, "he dreamed, -sayest thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of a surety," replied the blind girl; "he -dreamed that when he bound his sheaf at harvest -time, the sheaves of his father and mother and of -his brethren came and bowed themselves before it, -and other dreams of the like which signified that -he would become a great prince, and that all they -of his household should do reverence before him. -He should not have told such dreams," she added -sagely, "for of course his brothers only hated him -the more. One day he was sent into the wilderness -to fetch dates and honey to the eleven men, -his brothers, who were herding the flocks; they -saw him coming, wearing his fine, many-colored -tunic, and they made up their minds to put him out -of the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did they do?" said Seth breathlessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was just coming to that, impatient one. -Canst thou not hold thy peace? Thou art as -greedy over this tale as a flock of sparrows over -a measure of corn that hath been spilled on the -ground."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will hold my peace, queen of my soul," said -Seth meekly; "only, I pray thee, tell me what -befell the lad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Somewhat appeased by his humble demeanor, -the imperious little maid proceeded with her story. -"First," she continued impressively, "they thought -that they would kill him, and take his fine tunic -home and tell their father that a beast had slain -him, but just as they were turning the matter over -in their minds they spied a caravan coming towards -them, so they changed their wicked purpose to a -wickeder yet, and sold him for a slave. Yes, their -own brother for a slave," she repeated, much -gratified by the involuntary cry which her listener -gave at this. "They took him to Egypt----" she -went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Seth did not hear the remainder of the -story; he was clenching his brown hands in silent -anguish of soul. It was all clear to him now. -They were to be sold as slaves after all of their -sufferings and dangers; they would never see the -Holy City, nor the man Jesus who could heal -blindness. He groaned aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat, in the full tide of her narrative, mistook -this for a note of admiration or wonder. She had -just arrived at the point in her story where the -unfortunate hero is cast into prison. "What -wouldst thou have done then?" she asked abruptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I--I--am sure I cannot tell thee, little one," -answered Seth, rousing himself with difficulty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wouldst have remained there till the day -of thy death, no doubt," with superb scorn, "but -not so Joseph; he----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am drowsy, little one; Sechet rages fiercely -in the heavens; let us leave the tale till to-morrow," -said Seth in a smothered voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat touched his cheek with a cautious forefinger. -"It is true, thy flesh hath over-much heat. -See! I have here a pomegranate; thou shalt eat -of it and be refreshed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After this the travelers spoke but little. -Tirelessly the white dromedary strode onward under -the blinding glare of the sun, her broad feet making -no sound on the yielding sand; the landscape -quivered in the intense heat, melting into golden, pink -and violet fires in the far distances, while near at -hand the scarlet blooms of the cactus glowed like -live coals. Once they came upon a flock of -vultures gorging themselves upon the carcass of a -camel; they rose with hoarse croakings and -withdrew themselves to a little distance, till the living -should pass by. "As yet, we have no concern -with thee," they seemed to say to the white -dromedary, "but so shall it be with thee also, for man is -ungrateful." Then they again descended, a -dismal crew, upon the stranded wreck of the desert -ship. And the stately Mirah strode onward tirelessly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That night they pitched a tent and built a fire of -the dried shrubs. The man Pagiel spoke roughly -to the children; he bade the lad gather the fuel; -as for the maid, he pushed her aside with his foot, -as though she were a dog. Seth's eyes burned -when he saw the thing, but he said nothing; he -thought instead. The white dromedary crouched -upon the sand, chewing her cud, her large eyes -fixed thoughtfully upon the distance. The boy -approached her cautiously and caressed her snowy -neck; the beast permitted it with a low sound in -her throat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That wouldst thou not venture with every beast -in the flock," said one of the men good-naturedly. -"They be ugly save with those who know them. -Yonder camel can be touched by no other save -Jered, his driver; but Mirah there is of another -sort; I have seen my lord's little ones climb upon -her back when they were babes. For speed she is -a marvel; thou hast not seen it, for the camels -travel but slowly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She can outrun them then?" said Seth, his -heart beating violently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly, boy, there is nothing swifter save -the wind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fetch fuel, beggar!" cried Pagiel, accompanying -his words with a fierce look, "and do thou -afterward get into the tent and sleep, thou and the -girl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why dost thou speak thus harshly to the lad?" -questioned the other after Seth had withdrawn in -obedience to the command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is a heathen beggar; why should he receive -kindness at my hand? Listen! to-morrow we come -to the fountain of Hodesh, 'tis but a day's march -from the river; we will tarry there till a caravan -shall pass by, then will we sell the lad and the -maiden for gold. The gold shalt thou divide -between the three of you, and thou shalt say naught -to Ben Hesed concerning the matter; it will pass -from his mind, even as the mist dissolves before -the rising sun. But thou shalt have that wherewith -to comfort thyself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man listened with bent brows. "What is -comfort to me," he said sullenly, "if I have not -thy daughter to wife; she is comely, and I love -her better than gold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pagiel stared at the speaker with amazement. -"Thou hast forgotten thyself," he said haughtily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I have not forgotten; thou art the son of -my lord's sister, I am the son of Kish the herdsman. -Yet in the desert what matters it, am I not -a man like unto thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pagiel was silent a moment. "It shall be so," -he said at length. "It is true thou art a man, and -my daughter is, after all, only a woman; I have -sons also, thanks be to Jehovah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the gold?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall be for the maid's dowry, in addition to -what she hath already."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast dealt graciously with me, my lord, I -am henceforth as thy son, and as thy son will I -obey thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the morrow they came to the fountain of -Hodesh, and they encamped there, waiting for a -caravan. On the third day during the heat of the -noontide the men slept within the tent, but Seth -rose up softly, and went out. He filled his goat -skin at the fountain and bound it upon his back; -he took also of the parched corn a small measure, -and of the dates a double handful; "for," he said to -himself, "it was for us that these things were given -by the lord of the desert."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why dost thou fill thy goat-skin, brother?" -said Anat, hearing the familiar tinkle of the brasses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wake not the men yonder," answered Seth in -a cautious whisper. "They would deal with us -after the manner of the brethren of Joseph. We -will get us away upon the white dromedary, nor -shall they be able to overtake us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the two went softly to where Mirah crouched -beneath the shadow of the palms, and they climbed -upon her back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a good thing for us that Pagiel commanded -her to be saddled," quoth Seth. "He had the -intent to ride after his sleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he spoke softly in the ear of the beast after -the fashion of her driver; and she rose up with -them, and went silently away into the desert -towards the range of hills, beyond which lay the -land of Judæa.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Pagiel awaked out of his sleep and stood in -the door of his tent. And when he saw the -dromedary fleeing away, he made a great outcry and -awakened the others also; and they pursued after -them for many hours, but they were not able to -overtake them because the gentle Mirah was very -swift. Anon she disappeared from before their -eyes like a white sail on the distant verge of the sea. -When Pagiel saw that she was gone, bearing the -two whom he would have sold into slavery, he tore -his beard and wept with rage because he had -promised his daughter to the son of Kish, the herdsman. -For he feared his women, notwithstanding he was -a man, and of great stature.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-the-gate-beautiful"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AT THE GATE BEAUTIFUL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The long hours of the morning had worn -themselves away, the sunshine had ceased to glitter -on the wonderful carved brass of the great gate -Shushan some three hours since. One without, -standing on the marble pavement, might admire -the marvels of Corinthian workmanship without an -undue dazzling of the vision; so also might the -lame man, who lay on his mat a little to one side -of the entrance. Yet was he paying scant heed to -the grandeur of his surroundings. He lay at the -gate of the temple, which was called "Beautiful," -not because it was beautiful, but because through -it passed a stream of worshippers to and from the -well-nigh ceaseless services of prayer and praise -within. These all carried their money within their -hand, since it was not lawful to enter the sacred -enclosure having one's gold or silver within a purse -nor indeed anywhere about the person save in the -hand only. So the lame man profited by the law, -inasmuch as many cast a coin into his bosom who -might otherwise have been in too much haste for -prayer to have fetched out their purses for a beggar.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this day, however, the hands of the many had -remained tightly closed upon their treasure, not -only when they went in to bow themselves before -the All-Giver, but also when they came out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lame man looked at them as they passed by -him with unseeing eyes. He wondered what -blessing these men with their hard, worldly-wise faces -and closed fists had asked of the Almighty; he -also wondered if they had received. He himself -went but seldom within the gates. He could not -approach too near the Holy Place because of his -infirmity. God had declared that such as the lame, -the halt and the blind were unholy and displeasing -in his sight, so the priests taught. But he had -been lame from his birth and was sadly accustomed -to this and other miseries of his lot. For forty -years his soul had looked from the windows of his -prison-house upon the world. In these forty years -he had ceased to look for happiness, but he had -learned to be silent and to endure, which is perhaps -better.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had heard tales of the man Jesus, who had -healed many; once he had begged his bearers to -carry him to the healer that he also might be -restored, but they had refused.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art able to earn the bread which thou -eatest, and also to recompense us, who fetch thee -back and forth from the temple gate; if thou art -healed, what canst thou do more? thou art already -old. There is no profit in having thee healed, -therefore remain as thou art."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So he had remained as he was, and now the man -Jesus was dead, crucified, and there was no further -chance that he might be healed. He regretted it -patiently; one learns to be patient even in one's -regrets during forty years. But he often thought -of the man who had been crucified. The priests -had done it, he had been told; in secret he hated -the priests, and for this thing he hated them the -more. Why should they kill the man because he -had healed upon the Sabbath day? he thought -bitterly; but he said nothing, for there was no one -who cared for his thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he bethought himself to take account -of his gains for the day, since the hour of sunset -was drawing on apace. "'Tis not enough," he -muttered, as he counted the copper coins from his -greasy pouch. "I must pay Nicolas and Obed, -else they will not fetch me home; I like not to -stay here by night, the wind from the valley is -chill." Then he lifted his head and saw two men -ascending the marble steps. They were not rich, -his experienced eye told him that, but it was not -from the rich that he expected alms. They were -too busy thinking of the ritual which they were -going to repeat, or which perchance they had just -repeated without a flaw; and the pieces of money -within their hand were sure to be gold, or at least -silver, neither meet for a beggar. No, it was from -women going humbly in to their outer court of -worship, or from children, that he received, or from -such men as these in the plain garb of Galilean -peasants. Therefore the beggar lifted up his voice -with some confidence and cried aloud in the words -which his mother--when she found that he was a -hopeless cripple--had taught him, and which he -had repeated many times each day since.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sons of Abraham! Chosen of Jehovah! have -mercy, I beseech thee, on one lame from his birth! -Give unto me from thy heaven-bestowed bounty; -so will God recompense thee fourfold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two men stopped and looked at him intently, -and the beggar repeated his cry, stretching -forth his lean hand imploringly and lifting his -ragged robe to show the helpless and shrunken -limbs beneath. "They will give," he thought -within himself. "It will not be much, but it has -been a bad day with me so far, and every little -helps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look on us," said the older of the two men -imperatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The beggar obeyed, marvelling within himself at -the singular brightness of the man's eyes. He -began to think that perhaps for once he had been -mistaken, and that these men, despite their humble -apparel, were after all rich and important.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silver and gold have I none," said the man, still -holding the beggar's expectant gaze with his -powerful eye, "but such as I have, give I thee. In the -name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A thrill of hope passed into the beggar's starved -soul; his heart beat violently, his eyes grew dim, -he again stretched forth his hand, scarcely -knowing what he did; it was seized in a strong grasp, -and he felt himself raised to his feet--the feet -upon which he had never stood in all the forty -years of his life. His heart leaped within his -bosom with a strange and wonderful joy. Involuntarily -his feet leaped also, he could not help it. -He clung to his deliverers, weeping out incoherent -blessings and prayers. Then, walking and leaping, -he entered into the temple with them, and -remembering that he was no longer a cripple, and that -now he might approach God freely, he cried aloud -in his joy, not standing according to the law, with -feet close together, hands upon his breast and -head bowed, but walking and leaping and praising -jubilantly with a loud voice. He knew that he had -received, therefore his full soul overflowed its -bounds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the rest of the worshippers, who had -prayed according to the law, and in whose souls -there surged no such tumultuous happiness--and -why indeed should there?--they were greatly -disturbed at this unseemly exhibition. They looked -askance at the strange ragged figure singing aloud -of his wonderful deliverance, and they shook their -heads and frowned. "Go forth into the porch," -commanded certain who were in authority, "until -we shall look into this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the beggar, nothing loth, obeyed, still clinging -to his deliverers and praising more loudly than -ever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who art thou?" he cried. "Tell me, for I -would know; mayhap ye be angels in the garb of men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, we are but disciples of the crucified one, -Jesus of Nazareth. 'Tis by faith in his name that -we have been able to heal thee, and not by our own -power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when the beggar heard the name, Jesus, he -praised God yet more loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now all the people hearing the voice of the -beggar ran together in the porch, which is called -Solomon's, to see what had happened; and when they -saw him that had been lame, walking and leaping -as he praised God, they were filled with wonder. -Some ran to the gate Beautiful to make sure that -it was he and no other, but they found there only -the empty mat on which the beggar had lain, and -they returned marvelling more than ever.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Behold!" they whispered, pointing out Peter -one to another, "It was the man yonder who -performed the miracle. It must needs be that he is -most holy, that he hath kept the law without failure -of jot or tittle, that he can do such marvels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But when Peter perceived this he said unto the -people: "Ye men of Israel, why wonder ye at this, -or why look ye so earnestly upon us, as though by -our own power or holiness we had made this man -to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Israel, and -of Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his -son Jesus, whom ye delivered up and denied in the -presence of Pilate when he had determined to -release him. Ye rejected the holy and righteous -one and asked that a murderer should be granted -you; but the giver of life ye killed. Yet hath God -raised him again from the dead, whereof we are -witnesses. By faith in his name hath this man -been made whole, whom also ye see and have -known. Yea, the faith which is by him hath -given him this perfect soundness in the presence -of you all. And now, brethren, I know that in -ignorance ye did these things, as also your rulers; -what God before announced by the mouth of all -his prophets that the Christ should suffer, he -thus fulfilled. Repent, therefore, and turn ye, that -your sins may be blotted out, so may the times of -refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. -And he shall send the Christ who hath been -before proclaimed unto you, even Jesus; yet he -must needs remain in the heavens till the time -cometh when all things shall be restored, which -time hath God spoken of by the mouth of his -holy prophets since the world began. For Moses -said unto the fathers, 'A prophet shall the Lord -your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like -unto me. To him shall ye harken in all things -whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall -come to pass that every soul which will not hear -him shall be utterly destroyed from among the -people.' Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel -and them that follow after, as many as have -spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye -are the sons of the prophets, and of the Covenant -which God made with our fathers, saying unto -Abraham, 'and in thy seed shall all the kindreds -of the earth be blessed.' Unto you first, God, -having raised up his son Jesus, sent him, that -he might bless you in turning away every one of -you from his sins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And all the people paid heed unto him; and -many wept aloud for joy when they heard that -they might be forgiven for their part in the -crucifixion of Jesus. They had not forgotten that day, -nor how they had cried "Away with him--away -with him! Crucify him--crucify him!" Nor had -they forgotten the terror of darkness at midday -and the earthquake, nor the terrible sentence -which they had pronounced upon themselves: -"His blood be upon us and upon our children." Many -times had they cried in secret what also -they had said on that day, "We are undone--we -are undone!" Therefore believed they with -gladness the word which Peter had spoken unto them, -and they prayed aloud that God would forgive -them their blood-guiltiness. But as Peter and -John would have spoken further unto them, the -Priests and officers of the temple and the -Sadducees came suddenly upon them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What mean ye, blasphemers?" they said, "that -within the sacred precincts of the temple ye do -preach in the name of an accursed malefactor the -resurrection from the dead. These things shall -not be." And they locked them up until the next -day, for it was now eventide. As for the beggar -that had been healed, they put him in hold also, -that they might examine him at their leisure.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-council-chamber"><span class="large">CHAPTER XII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Annas sat quite alone in the council chamber -of the Sanhedrim. He had come early in -order that he might set in order certain papers, -and also that he might with due deliberation -determine the course of procedure for the morning's -session. But this was not easy; things looked -dubious for the success of his enterprise; he was -forced to acknowledge as much to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This miracle now," he thought, stroking his -hoary beard reflectively, "was a most unfortunate -thing--most untimely. The multitude seem quite -carried away by it. Should we adopt violent measures -with these pernicious persons it would, I fear, -fail to commend itself to the populace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this point in his cogitations he was disturbed -by the sound of a slow heavy step ascending the -stair; the door opened and Caiaphas entered. -Annas looked at him in surprise, noting with cold -disapproval his haggard face, his disordered apparel, -his shaking hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am astonished," he said, bringing his critical -gaze to a standstill upon the uneasy eyes of his -son-in-law, "astonished, indeed I may say that I -am not well pleased to see thee here this morning, -my son. Thou hast the look of a man who should -be within the walls of his sick chamber. The -ministrations of my daughter's skilful hand will -surely prove more acceptable to thee in thy present -state than the deliberations of statecraft. I pray -thee let me command for thee a litter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold!" said Caiaphas, grasping the old man -by the arm. "Hear what I have to say to thee -first," and he lowered his voice to a husky whisper. -"Thy daughter is no longer my wife."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou mean, man? Thou art mad!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I am not mad; would that I were!" said -the other faintly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I repeat that thou art mad," cried Annas, his -eyes blazing with a scornful fire. "What! my -daughter repudiated by </span><em class="italics">thee</em><span>?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She hath become a follower of the Nazarene," -said Caiaphas dully. "Could she longer be wife -of mine?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She hath gone to them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas was silent for a time. "If what thou -sayest be no figment of a disordered brain," he -said deliberately, "then I say thou hast done well. -No longer wife of thine, she shall be no longer -daughter of mine. She is henceforth one of the -followers of him whom we hanged upon the -accursed tree. As for them, shall I tell thee what -shall shortly come to pass?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The younger man made no reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When men would plant grain in a field which -hath been a wilderness," continued Annas, still in -the same icy, deliberate tones, "they root up the -tares and utterly destroy them with fire. This -shall we do with these mischievous and deadly -weeds that be winding their poisonous roots about -the only props that remain to our suffering nation, -the temple and the home. But let not this thing -be spoken of--the matter of the woman, I mean. -There is no need to make our name a byword and -a hissing; she hath for the present gone to pay a -visit; later we shall, perhaps, devise a way to -secretly rid ourselves----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What!" cried Caiaphas, starting up. "Wouldst -thou----?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hist, man, the others are coming!--wilt thou -remain? We shall this morning concern ourselves -with this very matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will remain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when presently the council was convened, -he took his old place upon the right hand of Annas. -In his sick heart he wished for death, yet there -burned within him the miserable desire to avenge -himself upon them at whose door he laid the loss -of both his wife and his son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayest fetch hither the two men whom -ye put in hold," commanded Annas, "likewise the -beggar."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ye behold in these," he continued, fixing his -piercing gaze upon Peter and John, as they stood -before the semicircle of their august judges, "two -men who were prominent followers of the Nazarene, -who was recently put to death because of his -crimes against church and state. Wise men would -have taken a wholesome warning from the fate of -their false teacher, but these follow in the footsteps -of him who was crucified, not remembering apparently -that those footsteps led to the cross. Yesterday -there was a tumult raised in the holy temple, -a beggar whom God had justly afflicted because of -the sins of his fathers was, forsooth, healed; healed -by these men. It is not meet that such things be -permitted. I therefore command that ye tell us -straightway by what means and by what name ye -have done this thing?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel," -said Peter, and at the sound of his voice the -beggar who had involuntarily shrunken back abashed -stood boldly forth. "If we this day be examined of -the good deed done to the impotent man, and if ye -will inquire by what means he is made whole, be it -known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, -that by the name of Jesus the Nazarene, the -Messiah, whom ye crucified but whom God raised from -the dead, even by him doth this man stand here -before you whole. This is the stone which was -set at naught of you builders, which is become the -head of the corner. Neither is there salvation -in any other, for there is none other name under -heaven given among men whereby we must be saved."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something of the same feeling which had -overwhelmed Annas on the night when he had essayed -to question the man of Nazareth came upon him. -He tried to speak, and his voice failed him. -Meantime a murmur of surprise ran about the circle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is it," whispered one to his neighbor, -"that these ignorant men can speak in such a -manner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have learned it in the company of the -Galilean," replied the other. "Dost thou not -remember his sayings?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What shall we say?" queried a third. "The -man there will spread the thing far and wide."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remove the prisoners," commanded Annas, -somewhat recovering himself. "We must confer -in private concerning this thing. This is a most -untoward happening," he added, when they were -alone, looking about him at the circle of attentive -faces. "What now shall we do with these men?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let them be stoned for blasphemy," said -Alexander, drawing his heavy brows together. -"Did they not call the crucified Galilean the -Messiah, and declare that God had raised him from the -dead? This also they preach openly to the people. -For myself I am of the opinion that our case is -worse than before; the Galilean himself was but -one man, and could be in but one place, now, -forsooth, we have a thousand men in his stead, all -haranguing, healing and creating a very fire of -heresy amongst the populace. The thing must be -stopped, else will our power be short-lived. These -men be worse than the Romans, for they at least -suffer us to be in peace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose that we stone them," remarked one of -the sons of Annas with a sneer. "How then are -we bettered? The whole city would take up the -cry against us, more especially the lower classes -who envy us our wealth. 'These holy men have -wrought a notable miracle,' they would howl, 'and -the Sanhedrists have stoned them for it.' Could -we crush the whole mob of the so-called disciples -with a single stone, and perform the deed quietly, -then should I cry with a good will, 'Let them be -stoned.' As it is, such a course would only add -fuel to the flame."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken wisely, my son," said Annas. -"The miracle is a notable one; all Jerusalem knows -it, and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no -further among the people, let us straitly threaten -them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this -name. Fetch now the men," he added, turning to -the temple police who waited their pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have considered the matter of your doings -with care," he continued with portentous solemnity, -when the prisoners had again been set in his -presence. "The matter of the healing we are disposed -to overlook, though it is not seemly for children of -dust to assume the prerogatives of the Almighty; -by his hand hath this man been laid low, he should -have remained as he was. It is not our custom to -heal beggars, nor should it be yours; it savoreth of -a compact with the evil one. The matter of your -speaking to the people is far more serious. Dost -thou know that thou hast laid thyself open to a -death by stoning? For verily thou hast blasphemed -foully; our ears and the ears of them that have -heard thee are polluted by the unholy words which -thou hast spoken. Yet are we merciful and inclined -to pardon even this iniquity, on the one condition -that from henceforth ye speak to no man in this -name of Jesus--a name I like not to utter. If now -ye are ready to comply with this our reasonable -request, ye shall at once be released."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then did John, the beloved disciple, fix his calm -eyes on the man who had spoken; with something -of the divine prescience of the Master did he read -the false soul behind the lying lips. "Whether it -be right in the sight of God," he said solemnly, -"to obey you rather than God, judge ye. For we -cannot but speak the things which we have seen -and heard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Continue to speak them," cried Caiaphas in a -fury, as he thought of his lost wife, "and a fate -more terrible than stoning shall befall thee. Shall -we endure to see----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Annas laid a warning hand upon his arm. -"Remove these men," he said hastily to the temple -guard. "Let them go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the beggar, my lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Release him also, but bid him hold his peace -concerning his healing, both in the temple and -elsewhere, lest a worse thing than lameness come -upon him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the beggar followed after the disciples as -they went away, and when they saw him they said, -"Dost thou join thyself to us because thou -believest on the name of Jesus?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he answered them humbly, "By the name -of Jesus was I healed of mine infirmity, how then -can I help but believe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they suffered him gladly because of that -word. And when they were come to the place -wherein were gathered many others that believed, -they told all that the chief priests and elders had -said to them, and they lifted up their voice to God -in one accord and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven, and -the earth, and the sea, and all that in them is, by -the mouth of David thy servant thou didst say:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"'Why did the nations rage,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the people meditate vain things?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The kings of the earth set themselves in array,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the rulers were gathered together</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Against the Lord, and against his Anointed.'</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>"For of a truth, in this city were gathered together -against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst -anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the -nations and the peoples of Israel. And they did -what thy hand and thy counsel had determined -should come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon -their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants to -speak thy word with all boldness, and stretch forth -thy hand to heal, that signs and wonders may be -done by the name of thy holy servant Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when they had thus prayed, behold the -place where they were assembled was shaken and -they were all filled with the Spirit, so that they had -no fear in their hearts of what might befall them -at the hands of their enemies. And on that day -and every day they continued to speak the words -which God gave them with great joy and confidence.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-the-feet-of-the-apostles"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AT THE FEET OF THE APOSTLES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>To Anna, in the house of Mary, there had come peace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When she had awakened from the death-like swoon -in which she had sunken at the feet of Caiaphas, -to find herself alone, she scarce knew at first what -had befallen her. But memory, too faithful, -repeated to her shrinking soul the words which had -struck at the very fountain of life; she turned -them over dully in her mind, "As I would cut off -my right hand, should it become polluted beyond -cleansing, so also will I sever thee from my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can that be," she thought, staring at the -light branches of a rose tree that swayed from the -trellis above her head; the sun struck vivid sparks -of emerald fire from its translucent leaves, the -breeze shook a full-blown blossom, and a handful -of the odorous petals fell upon her face. She -inhaled their fragrance as in a dream of pain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I will sever thee from my life," she repeated, -looking at the shattered rose. "Ah, it can never -bloom again!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And with the thought came a sudden frightful -realization of what had happened. She sprang up -and looked wildly about her. "I must find him! -It cannot, cannot be!" Then she sank feebly -upon her knees beside the bench, and buried her -face in her hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Is it for naught that misery instinctively -assumes this attitude? Nay, rather, it is a divine -impulse of the suffering soul, a blind and voiceless -feeling after a hand in the darkness. And the -hand is always there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Anna thus bowed there came at length the -thought of God, of Jesus, the all-Comforter; of -Stephen, his dark eyes full of loving light; of -Mary, the mother of Jesus, like herself, desolate. -And presently, though she scarce knew why, she -grew quite calm and strong. She arose. "I will -go," she said aloud, "to them; they will tell me -what I must do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so it was that she came to the house of -John, the beloved disciple, where abode Mary, -whom the dying Lord had given into his keeping, -and with them Peter, and Andrew his brother, -also Stephen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am desolate," she said humbly, "for my -husband hath cast me off, because I believe that the -crucified Jesus is the Messiah of Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then art thou welcome here," said the master -of the house, gravely. But Mary fell on her neck -and kissed her, and she wept with her, because she -knew that tears are healing, if only they be wiped -away by the hand of God.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so, after many days, there came to her -peace; nay, more, there came joy. Involuntarily -songs broke from her lips, lips for many years -silent; she smiled often even when alone, for a -strange delight filled her soul, her deep eyes -shone like stars.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen saw the change in her and he rejoiced.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Lord is with thee, mother of my Titus," -he said, tenderly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I scarce know why I am so happy," she replied. -"Is it meet that I should rejoice when my son is -dead, and when I am more desolate than a widow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the gift of him who sitteth at the right -hand of the Father," said Stephen. "Did he not -say, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto -you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. -Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be -afraid.' And this good word of peace he left with -his chosen ones on the very night before his -death. The world cannot give peace in the midst -of sorrow, but he can, and he hath given it unto -thee, beloved. And thou dost rejoice, and thy joy -shall no one take from thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But my husband?" said Anna eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask the Lord that it may be granted unto him -to see the truth. I will also ask, then shall it be -done for us according to his promise which cannot -fail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And he will again love me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Love is the fulfilling of the law," said Stephen, -smiling. "He will again love thee, and the love -that he hath had is as nothing to that God will -give him, for God is love, and he is also the -all-giver. All love is from God, and without it would -the world fall from its place in the heavens into -the darkness which is outside of love--if indeed -there be any place where the light of God doth not -penetrate." He paused, and looked thoughtfully -away into the sunset, as if he would pierce with his -longing gaze beyond the gold and the crimson to -that place where dwelt the risen Lord.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The days went swiftly in this new life, for none -were idle. Indeed, there was never a company of -folk since the world began into whose lives crowded -more of service, of love, of joy. The sick, the -unhappy, the poor from all the city and the country -round about came for healing, cheering, help; nor -was any turned away. The disciples were ever -mindful of the word of their Lord, "Freely ye -have received, freely give." They remembered -also with awe how he had washed their feet on -that last night before he was betrayed. So there -was no service too lowly, no labor too arduous for -them to undertake in the strength of their new joy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did he not say unto us," said Peter, his face -glowing with divine enthusiasm, "'As the Father -hath sent me into the world, even so send I you?'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To be a Christian in these days meant simply to -live as Christ had lived. And so the women were -busy from dawn until evening in fashioning -garments for them that had none; in preparing the -simple food, which they ate from house to house -with gladness and singleness of heart, every meal -a memorial feast of him who had gone to prepare -a place for them in the heavens. And the men, in -proclaiming the amazing tidings of salvation from -sin in a world given over to sin, of joy in a world -wherein was weeping and pain and woe, of peace -in the midst of strife, of a great light that had -shined in the darkness. It was so real, so -wonderful, so new. They had not read of these things in -an ancient book. They had not heard them with -cold dead ears 'as a tale that is told,' but they had -seen the Lord living and walking among them; they -had seen him upon the cross; they had seen him -in the tomb dead--his hands and feet torn with -the cruel nails. And they had also seen him alive -again and received into the glories of a visible -heaven. Upon their heads had the pentecostal -flames rested, and they beheld their mortal bodies -endowed with divine powers. Little wonder then -that they rejoiced, little wonder that a holy fear -came upon every soul and that they had favor with -all the people. Yet for our comfort is it written -that the Lord once said unto Thomas, "Because -thou hast seen me thou hast believed; blessed are -they that have not seen and yet have believed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now because very many that were poor came to -the disciples to be fed, and because the apostles -had now no time for fishing, being made fishers of -men as the Lord had promised, and for the reason -that then as now no one can live in the world -without money, they asked of the Lord concerning this -thing, as indeed they still asked about all things -just as when he was on the earth. And it became -very clear to them what they must do. And they -did it in all simplicity and singleness of heart. -They that had lands or houses sold them, and -brought the price of the things that were sold and -laid them down at the apostles' feet, and distribution -was made unto every man according as he had -need, so that there should no longer be among -them any that was rich, for had not the Lord said -to the young ruler, "Go sell what thou hast and -give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in -heaven," and also, "How hardly shall they that -have riches enter into the kingdom of God." And -because they thought much about heaven in those -days and because they longed to enter into the -kingdom, it was not hard for some of the rich to do -this. Their possessions were as nothing to them -compared with the riches which God was giving so -freely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is the same yesterday, to-day and forever." And -alas! humanity is the same yesterday and -to-day, but thank God for the to-morrow, which shall -also be forever, when we shall be like him!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was in Jerusalem a certain man named -Ananias, and he was married to a woman called -Sapphira. They had heard the preaching of Peter -and they believed, and came and joined themselves -to the church. They were rich people and owned -land outside the city. Now when others who had -possessions sold them and brought the money to -lay at the apostles' feet, they were ill pleased.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should this be?" said Ananias to his wife. -"If we give a tithe of what is ours is not that all -that the law demands?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is unjust," declared Sapphira, "we also shall -be beggars if we do this thing, besides it hath been -told me that the scribes and elders have the intent -to crush these apostles as well as all that believe; -for myself I have no mind to be stoned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us withdraw then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, not so, for God is with these men as also -thou hast seen," said Sapphira. "And if the -Master presently come back from heaven--as indeed -they all expect--he will establish a kingdom here -in Jerusalem, and it must not chance that we be -found on the wrong side when that shall come to pass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They do not demand that we sell our lands," -said Ananias, knitting his brows thoughtfully. -"Let us be prudent and reserve our possessions till -we shall see what is going to befall."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only this morning Joses brought money and -laid it down at the apostles' feet," said Sapphira. -"He hath sold every cubit of his farm in the hill -country. They know that we also have lands," -she added fretfully, "and they expect that we will -do the same. There are already five thousand -persons in the church, and very few among them -own earth enough to be buried in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a hard case," whined Ananias, "if honest, -industrious folk must give up all that they have to -beggars. They will devour it up like grasshoppers; -as for us who have given it, what shall we have for -a time of adversity, or for our old age?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What indeed?" echoed his wife. "But we -must do something or we shall be talked about. -What if--" and she lowered her voice to a -whisper--"we sell the land, and also freely tell of the -matter, but of the price that is received we will -give a part only, the remainder we will bestow in -safety till we shall ourselves have need of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a prudent woman!" cried her -husband. "I know a man who will give me a good -price for the land."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go then and sell, but let no one know of the -amount which thou receivest. That shall be secret -betwixt the two of us. The man Peter shall -suppose that we have given all, even as did Joses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Ananias went and sold the land and he -received for it a goodly sum. Which the two took -secretly and buried in the earth, keeping out a part -only; this the woman laid in her lap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a great sum," she said, looking regretfully -at the pieces of silver. "With it we might buy -fine raiment for ourselves; or I might put them -upon a string for my neck, I have no necklace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Spoken like a woman, and therefore foolishly," -said Ananias, lifting a handful of the coins and -letting them slip through his fingers one by one. -"For my part I should buy a vineyard. One could -then have an abundance of wine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither of these things can be," said Sapphira -with a sigh. "We must give it, else when the -Messiah shall come, the man Peter will say, 'These -people having land sold it, but gave no part to -us;' then the Messiah will give us neither place -nor power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose he comes not?" said the man doggedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall at least stand well with the apostles -and the rest. They be all prating of the generosity -of Joses to-day. 'Such a man! So holy!' they -cry. To-morrow they shall speak of us also; what -we shall give will be much more than his paltry bit -of silver." And the woman tossed her head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I will give it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But do not let them know about the other," -whispered Sapphira.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayest trust me for that!" said the man -with a harsh laugh.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the morrow, when all were gathered together -according to their custom, came Ananias bringing -the money--Sapphira remaining at home to guard -the buried treasure; and he laid down the silver -at the feet of Peter, saying, "I have sold my lands -for the service of the Lord, and here is all the -price of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the people looked at the money which he -had laid down, and they marvelled at his -generosity, saying one to another, "Joses truly was -righteous, but this man hath brought a greater -sum than he."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Peter fixed his inspired eyes upon the giver. -He read his soul. And he said to him: "Ananias, -why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy -Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the land? -Whilst it remained was it not thine own? And -after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? -Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? -Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Ananias heard these words, it was as -though the light of God had been flashed into his -soul. A fierce agony fell upon him. He saw -clearly what he was, and what God was; and -because this may not be endured by a mortal, he fell -down at the feet of the apostle dead. He had -passed into the presence of that Love which is also -a consuming fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the young men arose, wound up his body in -grave clothes, and carried it away. And it was -about the space of three hours after when his wife, -not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter -said to her, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for -fifty shekels?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And she said, "Yes, for fifty shekels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Peter said unto her, "How is it that ye -have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the -Lord? Behold! the feet of them which buried -thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then fell she down straightway at his feet and -expired, and the young men came in and found -her dead, and carrying her forth, buried her by -her husband. And great fear came upon all -the church, and upon as many as heard these -things.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-cup-of-cold-water"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A CUP OF COLD WATER.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Then the beast is not thine own?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have said that it belongs to Abu Ben -Hesed, who dwells in the wilderness of Shur. For -this journey alone was it ours. I must return it to -its owner after that I have accomplished mine -errand in yonder city."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man looked at the boy steadily for a full -minute; a slight smile curled the corners of his -lips, but he turned his head so that the lad should -not see it. "And thy business in Jerusalem, what -might it be? Thou art perhaps a merchant -seeking goodly pearls, or a purchaser of slaves, or -perhaps a pilgrim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My business is naught to thee; I have asked of -thee a question, wilt thou care for the beast till I -shall return? I will pay thee for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man ran his eyes once more over the white -dromedary, she shook herself and all the silver bells -of the bridle rang merrily. "I will take care of -her," he said, nodding his head once or twice and -smiling again broadly; "and when wilt thou be -pleased to return?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This very day at evening, if I shall find the man -I would see. His name is Jesus. Canst thou tell -me where to find him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There be half a score of that name in the city. -Dost thou mean Jesus Barabbas?" and the man -laughed aloud, as if his thoughts afforded him -secret pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is he a magician?" asked the lad eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A magician? Dost thou mean a man whom the -gods granted to be born under a lucky star?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then he is the man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is thy name?" broke in a clear sweet -voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My name?" said the man looking startled, -"Oh, 'tis thou, maiden. My name is Gestas, my -pretty one. Why dost thou ask?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That we may find thee when we shall return -from the city. Can this Jesus Barabbas of whom -thou hast spoken heal blindness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou blind?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes I am blind; I would be healed, and I have -heard that a man named Jesus can heal blindness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man looked soberly for a moment at her -blank eyes, he opened his lips as if to speak, then -scratching his shaggy head reflectively, he again -glanced at the white dromedary. "Go into the -city," he said at length, "and ask for the man, some -one will tell thee; I will care for the beast whilst -thou art gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, Anat, let us make haste," cried the lad -joyfully. "We must find him at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the two went away towards Jerusalem, which -lay not far distant, its walls and towers gleaming as -whitely as though no lurid shadow of destruction -hung from the avenging heavens above it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the man whose name was Gestas, he -laughed aloud as he seized the stately Mirah by the -bridle. "Truly the gods love me," he said. "This -beast will bring a goodly sum," and he struck the -white dromedary across the face with his staff in -order to let her know that she had a new master.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yonder is a venerable man," said Seth to the -blind girl, when the two had entered within the -gate, and he ran forward and plucked the man by -the sleeve.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Canst thou tell me where to find the man -Jesus, who can heal blindness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man turned upon the lad with blazing -eyes. "Beggar!" he cried, "get thee gone! How -dost thou dare pollute mine ears with that name?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth stared at him in amaze as he strode -onward, muttering angrily to himself, his snowy -beard blowing over his shoulder in the light breeze.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the sacred Nile!" he exclaimed, "in what -have I offended? Praise be to the gods, they have -no such customs in Memphis. Well, I must even -ask another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking the blind girl once more by the hand, -they walked a little further on. It was as yet early -in the day, but the streets were alive with people -hurrying to and fro. Merchants sitting comfortably -at their stalls cried lustily to the passers-by -to come buy of their goods; beggars whined out -their piteous tales of woe, and displayed their -gruesome deformities to the averted eyes of the -hurrying crowd; water-carriers clinked their brazen -cups and bawled loudly of the cooling draughts -which they carried in the goat-skins upon their -backs. Once the two adventurers had to squeeze -themselves back into an angle of the wall, while -a platoon of Roman soldiers marched by, the sun -glittering in dazzling splendor on their burnished -shields.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth's heart had suddenly grown heavy within -him, though he could scarce have told the reason. -He almost feared to ask the question which -hovered upon his lips of any of these busy, -indifferent-looking people. Presently his eyes fell upon a -blind man, feeling his way slowly along with a staff -and whining out a dolorous cry for alms as he went. -His heart sank lower still. "If there is a great -magician who can heal blindness in this place," he -thought, "why is not this man seeking him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Darting forward, he touched him upon the sleeve. -"Canst thou tell me," he said timidly, "if there is -a man called Jesus anywhere about--a man who -can heal blindness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The beggar stopped short and turned his head. -"There was such a man," he said, "but he is -dead--crucified, three months since. I never found -him," he added bitterly; "I came too late." Then -he went on his way, and the boy heard his shrill -voice rising and falling dismally adown the street. -He stood still in the place where he was, staring -stupidly after the man, the words "too late" still -echoing in his ears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Curses upon thy stupid head! Why dost thou -block the roadway?" And a smart blow across -his cheek from the whip of a muleteer served to -bring him to his senses. At the same moment he -heard a cry from Anat; looking quickly around he -saw her fall to the ground beneath the hoofs of the -laden ass which the man was driving.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a shrill cry of fear the lad sprang forward, -and dragged the girl out from among the confused -tangle of men and animals, the muleteer shrieking -curses upon him, the other passers-by merely -pausing an instant to stare curiously at the scene. -No one offered to help him, and cold with fear he -lifted the slender form in his arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a projecting arch near by, with a great -doorway sunken deep into the wall of masonry, in -the shelter of this he laid his burden down, and -looked into the beloved face in a very agony of -terror.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anat! Anat!" he cried, bending over her. -But there was no answer; the peach-like bloom -of the brown cheeks had changed to a curious -dusky pallor, the fringed lids had fallen over the -sightless eyes, the slender hands were cold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anat! Anat!" he repeated in a frenzy. -"Awake!" and he shook her by the arm, scarce -knowing what he did. "My God! if she is dead!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just then with a harsh sound of rusty hinges the -great door behind them swung open, and a -turbaned head peered cautiously out. The lad started -to his feet with sudden hope. "Kind sir!" he said -beseechingly. "My sister hath been grievously -hurt; nay, I know not if she be alive. Wilt thou -give me a cup of water that I may try and bring -back her soul?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man looked at him coldly. "This is the -house of God," he said. "'Tis not meet that its -threshold be defiled with that which is dead, 'tis an -abomination in the sight of Jehovah. Get thee -hence, the hour for prayer draweth nigh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, but I beseech thee, by the love of Isis! -Give me but a cup--a small cup of water!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Get thee hence!" said the man with a gesture -of abhorrence. "There is naught here for such as -thou," and he made as though he would have -pushed the senseless form of the blind girl into -the street with his foot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth's eyes blazed. "The curses of Sechet light -upon thee!" he cried fiercely; "thou hast the -withered heart of a mummy a thousand years -dead!" Then he caught up his burden once more -and fled away, the furious imprecations of the Jew -sounding in his ears.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hurrying blindly forward, he neither knew nor -cared whither he was going, but he became -conscious after a few moments that he had come into -a quieter place. With a dim sense of relief he -once more laid the limp figure down upon the -pavement; this time, to his great joy, he heard a -faint sound. She was trying to speak. He kneeled -at her side and lifted her head to his knees. -"Water! Water!" she moaned feebly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked distractedly about him. The long -narrow street was suffocatingly hot, on either side -of it stretched blank walls of rough-hewn masonry, -pierced occasionally with a deep-set door; two or -three dogs skulked in the black shadow of an -archway near by, and a flock of swallows swooped back -and forth in the dazzling sunshine, crying out to -each other with wild sweetness, but there was no -human being in sight. He could hear the distant -cries of the venders, and the shouts of the -muleteers from the busy street which he had just left. -It seemed to him presently, as he listened, that -somewhere near by he could hear the cool tinkle of -a fountain; he looked up, from the top of the wall -above his head there fluttered a glimmer of green -leaves. There must be--there was a garden there, -and water, he was sure of it. He sprang up, and -laying Anat's head carefully down, pulled -impatiently at the bell which hung at the side of one -of the sunken doorways. After a long delay, every -minute of which seemed a separate eternity to the -boy, a panel in the door swung open, and the head -of a man was thrust out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wilt thou?" he said in a surly tone, as -his eye fell upon the boy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Water! for the love of all the gods, water! my----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou mean, fellow," interrupted the -man, scowling, "by coming to the palace of the -High Priest for water? The public fountains are -for such as thou." And without further ado he -shut the door with a decisive clap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth stood for a moment as if stunned, then he -threw himself down upon the hot stones with a -smothered cry of despair, and bowed his head upon -his knees. After what seemed a long time a touch -upon his shoulder aroused him, he looked up dully, -his eyes red with weeping.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What aileth thee, lad?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stared at the face of his questioner without -answering. It was like no other face he had ever -seen, and yet, strangely enough, something in the -dark eyes brought back to him the dim memory of -his mother. The young man--for it was a young -man who had spoken--repeated his question, and -this time the lad answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My sister hath been trampled upon by a beast -of burden. She is dying for water, no one will -help me, my bottle is empty, and I know not where -to find a fountain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the stranger did not wait to hear all, he was -already sprinkling the face of the girl, who had -again lapsed into unconsciousness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is not much hurt," he said at length. "See, -she is reviving already." And indeed under his -skilful ministrations the color had begun to return -to the cheeks and lips of the injured girl.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But she is blind," said Seth, looking up -wistfully into the face of the young man, "and we -have come from Egypt, seeking for the man Jesus -who can heal such. A beggar told me that he -was dead, but it is not true?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of the stranger glowed with a smile so -angelic that the lad involuntarily cried out with -wonder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," he cried, "he is not dead, he liveth -forever more at the right hand of God."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he fixed his eyes upon the lad. "Tell me," -he said gravely, "all that hath befallen thee, and -how it is that ye seek Jesus in this far country."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the lad told him all. How that their parents -had passed into the regions of the dead, leaving -them alone; and how for many years he had cared -for his blind sister; of the man who would have -sold them into bondage, and how fleeing from -before his face they had first heard of the man -who could heal blindness; of their awful journey -in the wilderness; of their deliverance from the -vultures, and their escape from the hand of Pagiel. -When he ceased from speaking, the young man -was silent for a space.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of a surety," he said at length, "the Lord hath -led thee." Then raising his head he looked up -into the dazzling blue of the sky.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou who hast said, 'Lo, I am with thee alway -even unto the end of the world,' look now upon -this child who hath sought thee for healing, -through weariness, and thirst, and pain, lo, these -many days; and heal her, I beseech thee, by the -hand of thy servant, according to her great faith."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then stooping, while the lad held his breath with -awe, he laid his hand lightly, tenderly, upon the -sightless eyes of Anat. "In the name of Jesus -Christ of Nazareth," he murmured, "receive thy -sight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And into the dark eyes of the maiden, erstwhile -as irresponsive as soulless jewels, there flashed a -look of intelligence. She gazed steadfastly into the -eyes of the stranger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou the man Jesus?" she whispered softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my child," he answered, "I am but his -servant Stephen."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-pursuit-of-the-fugitives"><span class="large">CHAPTER XV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN PURSUIT OF THE FUGITIVES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>To Abu Ben Hesed, sitting, as was his wont at -the sunset hour, in the door of his tent, -came Pagiel. It was the evening of the fourth -day after he had seen the two children disappear -from out his sight on the back of the white -dromedary. He had not made haste to return; he -needed time to think, for he was slow-witted, and -the matter in hand was weighty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no place like the solitude of the -wilderness for meditation," quoth Pagiel. So he abode -quietly in the place where he was for one full day. -Not so the son of Kish the herdsman; he was -impatient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me return, I beseech thee," he said to -Pagiel, "I would fain look upon the face of my -bride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What art thou saying, man?" cried Pagiel -hotly. "Dost thou think that now I shall give to -thee my daughter? Our matter is ended."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Ben Kish loved the daughter of Pagiel; he -was therefore bold and determined. Moreover, he -saw that the man was afraid to return. "My -father is wroth," he said, "because the two -Egyptians have fled away with the beast. I will return -to my lord and I will tell him what they have done. -Surely it was meet that such should be sold into -slavery and that their value be given the daughter -of Pagiel for her dowry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, thou shalt not return!" cried Pagiel. "If -the thing be told Ben Hesed then should I be cut -off from among my kinsfolk and brethren."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish smiled. "Is it better for thee to be -thus cut off," he said, "or to have for thy son the -son of Kish? For of these two things, one shall -assuredly come to pass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Swear to me that thou wilt keep the thing -secret," said Pagiel, "and I will give thee my -daughter, even as I have said."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Swear to me that thou wilt give me thy daughter," -replied Ben Kish, "and I will keep the thing -secret."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they both sware a great oath; and they -builded that day of the stones of the place a -memorial, in token that as the stones which endure -without change, even so must their compact -remain. Then they gat them up and made haste to -return, and the son of Kish laughed within himself -because he had prevailed; but Pagiel was so busy -inventing a tale which should explain the loss of -the white dromedary, that he thought no more of -the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ben Hesed is a hard man," he thought. "If -I say thieves came and stole the beast while we -were returning, he will say, 'Why then didst thou -not pursue and slay them? Thou hast no wounds.' If -I say the beast fled away from us into the desert, -he will laugh me to scorn. Nay, I will tell him -the truth; it is after all best; moreover, God -loveth a truthful man. I will say this; the Egyptian -brats rose up whilst we were asleep in the midst of -the day, and they took the beast and fled. We -pursued them also till the going down of the sun, -but could not overtake them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So he told Ben Hesed this, and when he had -done speaking he waited to hear what his lord -should say. For a long time he said nothing, -because he was very angry, and it was his wont to -refrain from speaking when he was thus disquieted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall a man rage like a wild beast?" he would -say. "Nay, for in so doing he is no longer a man; -let him rather remain silent, remembering that -God made him in his own image. The heavens -are voiceless even when the earth beneath runs -red with blood. Men blaspheme the name of -Jehovah, yet is there no answering bolt of wrath -to slay them. Let us then be patient as befits -them that are but a little lower than the angels, -created in the likeness of the Eternal One."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this occasion Ben Hesed was silent so long -that Pagiel was frightened; he had bowed himself -to the earth, and he still remained in this humble -posture that he might escape the lightnings which -leapt up in his lord's eyes as he heard the tale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a time he became very uncomfortable, the -sand on which his forehead rested was hot, his -knees shook beneath him. "Why do I abase -myself before this man," he said within himself. At -the thought he too grew angry, and because anger -is stronger than fear, he leapt up and stood before -Ben Hesed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed also arose. "I will myself pursue -these Egyptians," he said, "and I will bring them -again into the wilderness; the wilderness shall -avenge me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he made haste and gat him gone within -the hour, but Pagiel remained behind; he had now -the matter of the marriage in hand. Remembering -this as he went to his own tent, he again tore -his beard and cried aloud to God to help him in -his extremity. But for the life of him he could -think of no other word save that which the -psalmist David wrote,</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"The wicked plotteth against the just</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And gnasheth upon him with his teeth,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>But the Lord shall laugh at him,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>For he seeth that his day is coming."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>And in this there was so little comfort that he -prayed no more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed arrived at the borders of Judæa -after a journey which consumed but half the usual -time, for he tarried not to rest at noontide nor at -night. Once beyond the river he began to make -inquiry among the people concerning the white -dromedary, and because beasts of that sort and -color not often passed that way he soon found -them that had seen her. In this place had the -runaways stayed for a night; in another had they -bartered a coin from the girl's necklace for -provender for the beast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"At least they have not abused the animal," -said Ben Hesed to himself, and insensibly his -anger cooled day by day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall hear what the lad hath to say before I -pass judgment upon him," he said to his son who -accompanied him. "It is best to look at both -sides of a matter--yea, and within it also. When -a man hath done this to the best of his ability how -far short doth he fall of the complete knowledge -of God, who made the soul and to whom it lieth -open like a parchment that is unrolled; therefore -should man leave punishments to God. I will not -lift my hand against the two as I at first purposed -in my heart; and in this thou seest, my son, how -wise it is to make haste slowly in matters that -pertain to revenge. The hours that pass cool the -angry heart even as drops of rain quench the -glowing coals. This is good; a year from now I shall -think little of the loss of the beast, and if I shew -mercy it will endure in my heart for many years as -a sweet savor. Look always at a present calamity -as if it had happened many moons since, then -shalt thou be able to judge whether it be worth -thy while to be angry and to avenge thyself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Beguiling the way with good words of the like, -and at the same time keeping a wary eye out for -the white dromedary, the worthy man journeyed -on towards Jerusalem, for it was there that he -confidently expected to find the fugitives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When at length they came within sight of the -holy city, lying fair and white amid the green and -gentle mountain slopes, the travelers were amazed -to see the numbers of folk who were going into it -by every road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What may this mean?" said Ben Hesed. "It -is not feast time." Presently they passed one of -these companies, and they saw that in the midst -was a sick man on his litter; he was groaning -dismally as his bed shook beneath him with the -unevenness of the way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why dost thou fetch this man into Jerusalem?" -asked Ben Hesed of the bearers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To be healed," they answered him. "Happy -shall we be if we get him there alive; already this -is the third day since we started with him, and -death pursueth after us faster than we can journey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed marvelled at their answer, but he -forbore to question them further, for he saw that they -had no mind to talk. Presently he came upon a -woman sitting by the wayside and weeping bitterly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why dost thou weep, woman?" he asked of -her, for he was not of those who reckoned it a -defilement to speak to a woman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I weep," she answered him, "because, although -I am in sight of the Holy City, I can go no -further and my child must, after all, perish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She thrust out her feet from beneath her robe, -and Ben Hesed saw that they were horribly bruised, -cut and blistered, as if she had walked a long way. -As for the child, it lay waxen-faced and silent in -her arms, the purple eyelids half dropped over the -dull eyes. Ben Hesed shook his head gravely as -he looked at it; it seemed to him that it was -beyond help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou shalt ride upon my beast," he said, "and -thus reach the city speedily. I will walk beside -thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman smiled through her tears. "Now -may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless -thee!" she cried; then she looked down at her -babe, and her face whitened. "It may be too -late," she murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From whence hast thou come?" asked Ben -Hesed gently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"From beyond Jordan, in the hill country. I -heard of what was being done in Jerusalem, and so -when my babe sickened I rose up with him and -hastened to come hither, but the sickness hath -increased by the way. I fear----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man Jesus is of great power," interrupted -Ben Hesed hastily. "It hath been said of him -that he hath even raised the dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman looked startled. "Thou art, then, a -stranger in these parts," she said, "and have not -heard what hath come to pass of late in Jerusalem?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am from the wilderness; what is it that hath -come to pass?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The man Jesus hath been slain--crucified!" -said the woman, her heavy eyes blazing with indignation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed was silent for a moment, "Why did -they slay him?" he asked at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I know not," said the woman wearily, -folding the child close to her bosom. "I saw him -once in my own village. He did there many -mighty works of healing, and of the things which -he said, I remember much even to this day. He -was a great prophet, and now is his power fallen -on his disciples, even as the mantle of Elijah fell -upon Elisha when he ascended in the chariot of -fire and had, therefore, no further need of a mantle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked once more at the city to which -they were now drawing very near. "Thus saith -the Lord God," he murmured, "This is Jerusalem; -I have set it in the midst of the nations and -countries that are round about her. The end is at -hand, behold it watcheth for thee, O thou that -dwellest in the land! The time is come, the day -of trouble is near. Now will I shortly pour out -my fury upon thee and accomplish my anger -upon thee. And I will judge thee according -to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all -thine abominations, for the land is full of bloody -crimes, and the city is full of violence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when they were now come to the gates, -they had much ado to enter in, because of the -great multitude of the sick, lame and blind which -were coming from every quarter. The streets -were filled with them, and with the noise of their -groaning and wailing. Ben Hesed, his son and his -two servants, together with the woman, who still -held the quiet child close to her bosom, followed -on with the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a time it became impossible to proceed -further, so they waited where they were. Near -them two men were holding a demoniac, who -bellowed loudly from time to time, and tore at his -clothes, which were already in ribbons, and at the -hair and faces of his guardians. A little further -on, the keen eye of Ben Hesed descried a palsied -man lying on his bed, his emaciated face the color -of death. Beyond him were a group of blind men, -waiting with the hopeless apathy of accustomed -misery for something, they scarce knew what. -Save for the moans and cries of the sick ones -there was scarcely a sound; the sun beat fiercely -down from above, the yellow dust rose in stifling -clouds from beneath, and still they waited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At length from somewhere afar off there rose a -cry--a wild, jubilant, inarticulate sound; a deep -answering murmur arose from the ghastly throng -of sufferers about them. This strange pean of -joy rose and fell, now swelling loudly, now dying -away, but always drawing nearer. Ben Hesed -looked at the woman; she was fumbling wildly at -the wrappings which swathed her babe; she bent -her head as if to listen at his tiny chest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God!" she cried, "it is too late; he is -dead." Then she dropped back breathless and -waxen as the little form which she still held close -in her arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed caught her as she fell; he looked -about him for help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here is water," said a voice at his side, and -looking up he saw, to his intense astonishment, -Seth, the Egyptian lad. At the same moment the -boy recognized him, and started back with a little -cry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is no time to speak of what concerneth -thee and me," said Ben Hesed sternly. "Give me -the water!" And he fell to sprinkling the face of -the woman with no sparing hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming!" shouted the lad. "Stay! -I will bring him hither," and he darted away into -the throng.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked after him quietly. "The -wicked flee when no man pursueth," he said under -his breath, "yet shall sure wrath overtake him, -neither shall a swift foot deliver him. Come!" he -added, turning to his son, "let us bear this woman -hence; there is now no further need to wait for -them that heal."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-roll-of-parchment"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A ROLL OF PARCHMENT.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Thou canst hear for thyself how Jerusalem -is on an uproar; the credulous and ignorant -from all the country round about are crowding -into the city bringing their sick with them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis worse even than when the man himself -was alive; but what can we do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shorn of our powers as we be, what indeed? -But shall we then sit quietly down and allow these -men to snatch from us the little that remains?" Annas -arose from his place as he spoke and opening -a small receptacle of carved ivory, removed -from it a roll of parchment. "Let us now consider -this matter between ourselves; later it must be -presented before the council, but I tell you plainly -that in the council itself there be them that are of -two minds. I have written here," he continued, -"the names of them that are principally -concerned in the present disturbances; let these be -either slain or forced into banishment, and the -thousands who now claim to believe will quickly -lose their fervor--which is after all simply a -frenzy of excitement, skilfully produced by these -apt pupils of the man from Galilee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was deliberately unrolling the parchment as -he spoke. "I have prepared this list after most -careful inquiry and investigation," he went on, -looking keenly from one to the other of the two -attentive faces before him. "To thee, Saul of -Tarsus, this information should prove most useful. -Other names may be added from time to time as -shall appear necessary, but at present I have -set down only some seventeen names, including -the twelve who companied with the Nazarene. -These are now I am told known as apostles; and -it is they who are the principal inciters of the -unseemly gatherings which daily take place within -the confines of our Holy Temple, and which as -yet we have not been able to put a stop to. To -our shame be it said!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The names! the names!" cried Caiaphas -impatiently; "read them, I pray thee, without -further delay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas frowned. "Thou art zealous in the cause, -my son," he said with a warning gesture. "I -commend thy diligence; would that all the Sanhedrim -were of like mind with thyself. The names of the -twelve who must be crushed at any cost are as -follows:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The first is Simon, also called Peter--without -question the most dangerous of them all, in that -he is absolutely unbridled of tongue and -apparently without fear of God or man. He is an -ignorant fellow, having been taken from his fishing -boat on Gennesaret by the Nazarene, as one well -fitted to become his disciple."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was he not the one who declared with curses -that he never knew the Nazarene, on the night -when the man was so cleverly given over to us -by that other follower of his, Judas?" said Caiaphas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art in the right, my son," replied Annas, -stroking his beard thoughtfully, "though I had -entirely forgotten the circumstance; indeed all of -his followers forsook the man and fled at the time -of his arrest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didst thou say that this Peter denied his -Master?" asked Saul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He not only denied knowing him, but cursed -and blasphemed foully in the faces of them that -inquired of him concerning the matter, and that -without provocation, since there was no effort -made to molest the followers of the Nazarene, it -being deemed sufficient by us at the time to put -an end to the man himself--a mistake in -judgment which we are like to repent bitterly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the man is a coward!" exclaimed Saul -contemptuously, "a loud-mouthed braggart; -doubtless a Roman scourging will suffice to close his -mouth for the future."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The suggestion is a good one," said Annas -approvingly, "it can be brought about with ease; -though for myself I am in favor of measures which -shall entirely rid our city of the whole, blasphemous -brood. The second name I have set down is -that of John, he is always to be found with the man -Peter, of whom we have just been speaking. He -is, in his way, quite as dangerous, since in common -with the other he possesses some means of -deluding the multitudes into supposing that he hath -healing power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a way provided by the law for dealing -with such as have familiar spirits and by means of -them work deeds of darkness," growled Caiaphas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite right," assented Annas, "we shall come -to that presently; of the others I need say nothing -except that they follow the same practices as the -first two named, and are occupied night and day -in spreading the pernicious teachings of what they -are pleased to call the good tidings. I will name -them in order, commencing at the beginning once -more. Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, -brother of the same; John and James, sons of -Zebedee; Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, -a tax gatherer; James Ben Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, -surnamed Thaddeus; another Simon, who is a -Canaanite, and Matthias, whom I find they have -chosen to take the place of the man Judas, who -served us well and cheaply you will remember in -the capture of the Nazarene, but committed the -incredible folly of hanging himself immediately -afterward; a pity, since we might have found him -useful now. To these twelve names I have also -added Mary, the mother of the Nazarene, she had -best be made an example of, together with some of -the other women, who consort with the men and -brew mischief among them as only women are able."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caiaphas started up. "Thou hast rightly said," -he cried in a hoarse shaking voice, "the devil led -captive the first woman, and they all do follow him -to this day if he but put on the guise of a fair -youth. I pray thee to add yet another name, the -name of Stephen. Murderer and thief! I will -kill him with my hands--I hate him--I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My son," said Annas soothingly, "thou must -not over-agitate thyself; thy zeal for the holy -temple hath quite caused thee to overlook the -frailty of thy body, weakened by recent illness. -The name Stephen is also written here, since I -found that he was capable of leading away much -people after him. He hath a nimble tongue and a -fair countenance, together with a knowledge of the -lower Gentile class from which he also hath sprung, -being, as his name indicates, of Greek parentage."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is the son of a murderous thief," shrieked -Caiaphas, "and I will have his blood. I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly; all whose names are written here -are under sentence of death," said Annas, laying a -warning hand on the speaker's arm; "but I pray -thee, attend me while I finish the reading of the -parchment, after that must we take immediate -action. I have here further set down for your -consideration the apostates, Nicodemus and Joseph of -Arimathæa, formerly members of the Sanhedrim, -but now delivered over unto ungodly lusts and -blasphemies in the company of the Galileans. Of Joseph -it is further known that he openly begged the body -of the Nazarene from Pilate and made a great ado -over its sepulture, buying spices and fine linen as -if for a rich man, and laying the fruit of the accursed -tree in his own new tomb, from whence it also -disappeared on the third day through the further -machinations of these same apostles."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I once knew Joseph of Arimathæa," remarked -Saul thoughtfully; "he was a fair-minded man, I -will speak with him concerning the matter----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so, my son!" cried Annas hastily. "I -forbid it in the name of the holy council; it is not -meet for one that is sanctified to the service of -Jehovah to consort with them over whom Satan -hath gotten the victory. But hold! I hear some -one at the door; it may be news of some fresh -disturbance, I ordered the captain of the temple police -to bring me word should such occur. Enter, I -pray thee, Caleb. What is it that hath befallen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A great tumult, my good lords," said the man, -bowing himself reverently before them. "The men -have wrought many wonderful cures upon the -halt, the maimed, and the blind; the whole city is -at the doors to see them. They are bringing out -their sick and laying them on the stones of the -street, crying out that if only the shadow of Peter -fall on them they shall be healed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is monstrous!" cried Annas, starting up. -"Do thou, Saul of Tarsus, go with this man and -see to it that these fellows are put in hold; their -shadows will go with them. Thrust them into the -common prison, and let the jailer look to it that -they escape not. Take with thee a sufficient -number for thy security, and accomplish the matter -quietly but with all speed. To-morrow we will -consider their case."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul of Tarsus was already girding himself. -"Thy commands, my lord, shall be obeyed," he -said, bending his haughty head, "and I rejoice that -I am counted worthy to be of service in bringing -to naught these workers of iniquity. If it meets -with thy approval I shall also put in hold any others -whom I shall find engaged in this blasphemous -wickedness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go forth, my son," quoth Annas, rolling up his -eyes, and spreading abroad his jewelled fingers, -"and take with thee a High-Priestly blessing, may -it enable thee to prevail gloriously. Deal with the -men as thou wilt; only remember that we must be -prudent, and that too great zeal in the beginning -oftentimes cripples an enterprise which would -otherwise have grown mighty and irresistible, -therefore temper thy burning zeal with all caution -and diligence as befits a truly wise man." He -rubbed his hands together with an air of satisfaction -as the door closed after the young Pharisee. -"A most admirable man for the occasion!" he -exclaimed, turning to Caiaphas. "Most admirable! -Full of courage, full of determination, withal easy -to be controlled; but I would not that he talk much -of the matter with any other save ourselves. If he -should hear the talk of Nicodemus, Joseph, or -Barsabas, I fear me that he might receive an -impetus in the wrong direction; and once started, there -would be no halfway measures with him. He would -speedily develop into another Peter on our hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou in truth believe that these men are -of the devil?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas started, the self-satisfied smile faded; he -looked sharply into the worn face before him, at -the eyes with their feverish glitter, at the thin, -nerveless hands, at the bowed shoulders; then he -frowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou had best go to thy chamber--" he began -irritably, but Caiaphas checked him with an -impatient gesture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Prate not to me of my chamber! I am sick, -yes, but it is a sickness of the soul. Thou dost not -know all, I have not told thee; but hear now that -my son, my son David, was crucified as a thief at -the right hand of the Nazarene." His voice rose -almost to a shriek at the last word and he tore at -his hair as one in uncontrollable agony.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas started to his feet. "Thou art mad!" he -cried. "For God's sake, do not shriek forth such -foul ravings, lest it come to the ears of them without."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I am not mad," said Caiaphas. "If I -were mad, I might sometimes forget. Thou -knowest how we lost him," he continued, sinking his -voice to a husky whisper. "He was stolen by a -thief who bred him to his own damnable trade, and -who also was crucified. This Stephen, who -preaches to the people of the Nazarene, is his son. -It was Stephen who taught the woman who was my -wife to believe that the Nazarene was the Messiah -of Israel. What if it were true! My God, if it -were true!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fool!" cried Annas, clenching his hands. -"Breathe to another human soul what thou hast -told me and I will thrust thee into a dungeon -where thou shalt cool thy hot brain to eternity. -Wilt thou drag our ancient name in the foul mud -of the streets and make it a by-word and a hissing? -This fellow Stephen shall die, and that speedily; -now look to it that thy tongue is forevermore silent -in the matter! Dost thou hear me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caiaphas cowered beneath the murderous eyes -of the old man. "It shall be as thou hast said," -he faltered weakly. Then he burst into a passion -of sobbing like a sick child.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-prison-house"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE PRISON HOUSE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was very dark in the prison, and the straw -which littered the earthen floor of the place -was damp and filthy. Abu Ben Hesed found a -difficulty in breathing the stagnant air, he -groaned aloud and beat upon his breast. "Alas!" -he sighed, "how have the wicked prevailed against -the innocent. We are as birds in the snare of the -fowler." The babe in the arms of the woman -beside him stirred, then wailed loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no food for him," said the woman plaintively. -"Nevertheless he hath the strength to wail -for it, thanks be to the Almighty. But how doth -the bitter and the sweet always commingle. No -sooner is my child restored than I am thrust into -this noisome place; for what reason I know not, I -but praised him by whose name was the healing -wrought."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thinkest thou not that he who hath restored -thy babe is able likewise to deliver thee from -prison?" said a deep voice from out the gloom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The woman drew a little nearer to Abu Ben -Hesed. "Who is it that speaks?" she whispered -timidly, while the child again wailed loudly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed turned his piercing gaze toward the -place from whence the voice had come. He -thought he could distinguish a number of dark -figures huddled together in one corner. "Who are -our companions in this misery?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are the apostles of the Lord Jesus, in -whose name we are able to heal them that are -sick. By the command of the chief priests are we -thrust into this place; the officers who seized us -are well known unto us. But praises be to the -Eternal One that we are accounted worthy to do -the works which the Lord did, and to be partakers -of his sufferings. For unto us shall be also a -share in his glory which he hath with the Father. -But how is it that ye are come with us into this -place?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am from the desert," answered Ben Hesed. -"As I journeyed I found by the wayside this -woman, who had essayed to bring her babe to -Jerusalem for healing. When I perceived that she -could go no further by reason of her weariness, I -set her upon my own beast and fetched her into the -city. As we waited, hemmed in on every side by -the multitude, it seemed to us that the child was -dead, therefore I bore her away a little from out -the throng, because the spirit was well nigh gone -out of her by reason of her grief. Then it was that -a little lad called Seth, brought unto us a young -man, who laid his hands on the twain and healed -them. I saw it with mine own eyes as did they -that were with me, and we all cried aloud and -praised God for his mercy, the woman also with a -voice of thanksgiving. But as we rejoiced, there -came a certain man who commanded us to be silent. -'Shall I be silent,' I answered him, 'when mine -eyes have seen wondrous things?' Then I bade -him begone, for it is not my custom to hear or to -heed commands from any, since I am lord in mine -own land. But even as I spoke I was seized on a -sudden from behind by them that bound me and -haled me away hither, together with the woman. -For this also shall vengeance overtake the man, -for I will neither eat bread nor drink wine till I -have accomplished my wrath upon mine enemy. I, -Ben Hesed, have spoken it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my brother," said another voice, "I will -show thee a more excellent way. The Lord Jesus, -when he was betrayed into the hands of cruel -men--who also accomplished their desires upon him, -reviling him, beating him, and at last crucifying -him--though he was endued with all power from -on high, offered no resistance; even as it is written -by the prophet Isaiah, 'He was despised and -rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted -with grief; he was wounded for our transgressions, -he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement -of our peace was upon him and with his -stripes we are healed. He was brought as a lamb -to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers -is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.' If the -holy Jesus, Lord of all the heavens, could endure -such suffering with patience, is it meet for sinful -man to seek for vengeance?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed listened attentively. "I would hear -more of this man Jesus," he said. "I once saw -him in Jerusalem. He seemed to me a man, even -as others, though it was told me that he had the -power to heal them that were afflicted with diseases."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then they told him all the story of Jesus of -Nazareth; and when they spoke of his awful -death on the cross, the old man wept aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would to God that I had known it!" he cried; -"I would have come with my tribe like a swift -whirlwind from out the desert, and would have snatched -him from the hand of the oppressor. In the desert -God reigns."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Doth not God reign over all the earth, for he -made it?" cried Peter. "Yet he suffered these -things so to be; it was his will concerning him, -as also our Lord told us many times before his -death, yet because of our blindness we heeded -him not. Yea, I even denied that I knew him, -in his extremity; yet he forgave me, as also he -will forgive and save all that come unto him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can he forgive when he is dead?" said -the woman sadly. "Behold there is no hope in the -grave; they that go down unto death return not -for either loving or forgiving, though we weep -tears of blood in our anguish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou not heard," cried Peter in amaze, -"how that the grave could not hold him? On the -third day he became alive again, and we all saw -him and knew by many infallible proofs that it -was he and no other. And as he arose from -among the dead, even so shall every one that -believeth on him also become alive again. Death -is swallowed up in victory. After many days, with -our own eyes did we behold the heavens receive -him. Yet is he even now with us to help and to -comfort, and shall be alway even unto the end."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he yet spake, lo! all the place became -light about them, and they saw that the doors of -the prison stood wide open; and while they -marvelled at the sight, a man in bright raiment stood -before them and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go, stand and speak in the temple all the -words of this life!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they went forth, all of them, into the night; -but the keepers of the prison continued to stand -before the doors, neither seeing nor hearing what -had happened, for their eyes were holden by the -angel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed was baptized in that same hour, and -so likewise was the woman, because they believed -what the men had told them concerning Jesus of -Nazareth; and they tarried for the night at the -house of John. But in the morning very early the -Apostles went into the temple that they might -speak to the people, even as the angel had bidden -them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About the third hour of the day at the bidding -of Annas came the members of the Sanhedrim, with -the chief doctors of the law, and all the great -rabbis that were at Jerusalem, that they might take -council together concerning them which Saul had -made fast in the prison. And when Annas had -spoken before them at length concerning the -matter, and with great power and subtilty had -convinced the greater part of them that these men -were of the devil, and that upon the Senate thus -convened rested the honor and safety of Israel, he -commanded that the prisoners should be brought. -And the officers went as they were bidden, and -when they were come to the prison they asked of -them that stood on guard before the door, whether -the prisoners had been troublesome during the -night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We heard them speaking one to another about -the third watch," the officer of the guard made -answer. "But there has been neither sound nor -motion from within for many hours; they sleep -heavily and late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must even awake now, that they may -appear before the council. Fetch them out at once, -for I must make haste."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the officer of the guard, whose name was -Chilion, opened the door of the prison and went in. -"Awake, sluggards!" he cried loudly, "and come -forth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But when there was yet neither voice nor motion, -he drew his sword and thrust it in among the heaps -of mouldy straw. "If ye will not come forth peaceably," -he said, "then shall I fetch thee forth at the -point of the sword." But no shriek of pain -answered the weapon. So he strode forth into the -light. "Fetch hither a torch," he roared, "there is -the darkness of the pit within, and the rascals make -me no answer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they made haste and fetched lights, and they -searched the prison with all diligence. The -prisoners were gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast been drunken in the night and so -have the fellows eluded thee," said Caleb, the chief -of the temple police, when he had satisfied himself -that the men had indeed made good their escape. -"For this shalt thou answer with a scourging."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou liest, man; I have neither eaten bread -nor tasted wine during the night," cried Chilion, -choking with rage, "and these shall bear me -witness. We have stood continually before the doors, -even as thou didst find us; it is from within that -they have gotten away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then they again examined the floor and the -walls of the prison; but there was no place where -so much as a mouse could have crept through.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am undone!" cried Chilion, rending his -clothes, "if they be not found. 'Twas by their -magic powers that they have done this thing. -Thinkest thou that men who can open the eyes of -the blind, cannot also open the doors of a prison -house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Caleb returned unto the council; and when -he had made obeisance before them, he said, -"I am most unhappy, my lords, in that I am the -bearer of evil tidings; the prisoners whom I was -sent to fetch have somehow made good their -escape during the night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is this?" cried Annas angrily. "Who -guarded the prison?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The detachment of Chilion, with Chilion -himself in command, my lord. The prison was shut -with all safety, and the keepers found we standing -without before the doors; but when we had opened, -there was no man within."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A most singular story this, my lord," remarked -Alexander sarcastically. "It will doubtless -transpire that the fellows reasoned with the keepers -during the night watches, and so converted them -from their duty to their own interests; this do -they with all men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The guard, Chilion, hath been bribed," -suggested another. "Fetch him hither, and try the -effect of a scourging. A bleeding back createth -an honest tongue oftentimes when nothing else -will suffice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But as they thus talked together, Chilion -himself knocked at the door; and when he was -admitted, he cried out before them all that he was -innocent of any failure in his duty; he was, moreover, -ready to swear to the truth of this upon the high -altar of the temple, than which there was no oath -more sacred. "As for the men whom ye put in -prison," he added, "they are at this moment -standing in the temple teaching the people!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="whose-we-are-and-whom-we-serve"><span class="large">CHAPTER XVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">"WHOSE WE ARE AND WHOM WE SERVE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"May I advise, my lord, that these men be at -once apprehended and brought hither?" The -voice was that of Saul of Tarsus; he had -arisen in his place, and the eyes of all were fixed -upon him. "We shall then be able to examine -them of the truth of this man's statements. It -would seem most necessary that our prisons be -made secure, since I opine that we shall have need -of them before we have seen an end to this -matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is well said," murmured several who were -high in authority, "let them be fetched with all -speed; we will not go hence until we have seen -them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Annas commanded the officers, "Fetch -hither the men, but without show of violence, for -they have a great following among the people. A -popular enthusiasm," he added, "when bred at -the wrong moment and on the wrong subject, is -most disastrous; though what it may accomplish -when properly directed, those of you who were in -the city at the time of the execution of the man -from Galilee will remember. The populace must -be with us now as they were then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb therefore with a chosen few of his men -sought the temple; and there they found a great -multitude assembled in Solomon's porch, listening -to the apostles who spoke to them of Jesus, the -crucified carpenter of Galilee. Him they declared -boldly to be the Prince of Israel; assuring the -people that though he had been rejected by them -and cruelly slain, yet was he able to save them -from out the sin and misery of their present lives, -and furthermore give them everlasting life in place -of death. So that for them that believed there was -now no further terror in the grave, since he had -promised and was able to raise their corrupt bodies -into the likeness of his own glorious body. And -all the people heard their words with joy; and -they cried aloud to the Crucified One to forgive -them their sins and to remember his promises to -them also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the chief captain of the temple police was -seen to approach stealthily, a man whose long, -silvery beard descended upon his breast, and in -whose eyes burned the fire of desert suns cried -out: "Seest thou these men? They are even as -the leopard of the mountain which steals upon -his prey unaware. Look to it now that they do the -men of God no violence!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the people answered with a great shout, -"Let us stone them forthwith; if they be dead -they will trouble us no more!" And Caleb feared -exceedingly lest they should lay hands upon him; -but being a discreet man and in pursuit of his duty -furthermore, he made a bold stand before them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ye men of Israel," he cried, "there is no -violence intended these men, if they will but come -with me peaceably. The council and senate of the -people of Israel would hear them of these matters -whereof they are now preaching, and for this -purpose have they even now assembled themselves -together. Let the apostles go, I pray ye, that those -in high places may also receive the Gospel." This -he said, not because he himself believed, but -because he was a man of wisdom, and knew that -unless he could placate the multitude, great harm -might come not only to himself but to the senate also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Should these men once accuse the chief priests -of the murder of the Nazarene," he said within -himself, "the mob would immediately hale them -forth from the council chamber and tear them limb -from limb." And for a moment he was half minded -to send word to the citadel asking for a detachment -of Roman soldiers, but he bethought himself that -this would only betray his fear. So he again spoke, -and this time in the ear of Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beseech thee, good Rabbi," he said, with -apparent humility, "that thou wilt appease the people, -since thou art obeyed of them; and I, despite -mine office, have no authority at all over them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Call not thou me good, who denied the Lord -of Glory," answered Peter. "I will go with thee." Then -he beckoned with his hand unto the multitude -that they should pay him heed, and when they -were silent, expecting that he would command -them concerning the officers, he said: "Ye men of -Israel, this Jesus, whom we preach unto you, while -he was yet alive, commanded that they which -would follow him should do no evil to any man. -Yea, he declared that if a man should smite his -neighbor on the cheek, that the smitten one should -also suffer his enemy to smite again without -resistance or anger; and when, on the night before his -death, the chief priests sent a company of men -armed with swords and staves for to seize him, I -was filled with indignation and smote the high -priest's servant with the sword, so that his ear was -severed from his head; but the Lord rebuked me, -and bade me put up my sword into its place, then -he reached forth his hand and touched the -wounded man and healed him. Furthermore, ye -remember how that afterward, when he was mocked -and scourged and spit upon by his enemies, he -opened not his mouth with revilings, but bore all -with patience, though there remained within his -call more than twelve legions of angels, armed with -the fiery swords of heaven. If then ye would -follow him on whom ye have believed, give place to -wrath and conduct yourselves peaceably. For ye -may have confidence that the Lord Christ, whose -we are and whom we serve, will not suffer us to -be tried above that we can bear, but will with the -necessity provide a way of escape."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when the people heard these words, they -suffered the apostles to go away with the officers. -But Ben Hesed, and with him others of them that -were strong-hearted, followed hard after, and -waited near the door of the council chamber.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For," said Ben Hesed grimly, "it is also -written concerning the Lord, 'With the merciful thou -wilt show thyself merciful, and with the froward -thou wilt show thyself froward. The Lord will -save the afflicted people, but he will bring down -high looks,' and further, 'He teacheth my hands to -war, so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms; -I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them, -neither did I turn again till they were consumed.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Caleb perceived that the men were -even at the doors, he wrote upon a tablet, saying: -"Be discreet, I pray thee, in thy dealings with -these apostles, for there be them without which -are able to make of thee and of all that are -within, even as the small dust of the balance." And -this he caused to be given to Annas privily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Annas had read these words, his heart -burned like a live coal within him. Yet was his -brow calm and unruffled as he fixed his keen eyes -on the men who stood humbly enough in the -presence of that imposing assembly. "Again hath it -become necessary to rebuke you openly because -of your blasphemous conduct. Stiff-necked and -ignorant fishermen, how is it that ye do thus -persist in doing the things which work only for -unrighteousness? Did not we straightly command -you that ye should not teach in this name? And, -behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, -and intend to bring the blood of the slain Nazarene -upon us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We ought to obey God rather than man," -affirmed Peter simply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas trembled with his pent up anger, but he -still spoke with calmness. "This have ye before -declared as the reason and excuse of your -disobedience to this most holy council of the People of -Israel. Dost thou think then that the God of our -fathers speaks no longer save to fisher folk, -publicans and malefactors? Nay, for upon us doth rest -the power of God and the wisdom of God; in that -we would defend from scurrilous and wicked hands -the faith which we have kept unsullied from the -days of our father Abraham even until now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have but one answer to make to this," -said John, looking squarely into the furious eyes of -the man who had spoken, "and it is this. The -God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew -and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with -his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, that he -might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of -sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; -and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath -given to them that obey him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hearest thou these sayings?" cried Annas, -starting to his feet. "What is this else but foul -blasphemy? It is poison of this kind that these -fellows spread industriously amongst the people -day by day. The Nazarene, a prince and saviour -forsooth, and we his murderers! If the people -once come to believe this, what shall come to pass? -We shall be overthrown and the whole nation -given over to blasphemy and idolatry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall be doing God service if we immediately -put these to death," said Jochanan. "It -must needs be done, the public weal demands it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am of the same mind," exclaimed Alexander.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I--and I!" shouted half a score of voices.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let them be stoned!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give them over to the Romans!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beseech your indulgence, my good lords!" -interrupted a grave deep voice from the inner -circle of the assembly, "that ye may grant a brief -hearing to one, who because he is still somewhat -unfamiliar with these new doctrines, perchance -looks upon them from a slightly different standpoint -from those of you who have patiently borne -the heat and burden of the day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gamaliel! Gamaliel!" cried several voices. -"Let us hear what he hath to say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The speaker was a man of powerful physique, -and of calm and dignified bearing. As he looked -keenly about over the excited assemblage with an -air of conscious authority, every eye was fixed -upon him with grave attention. "May I request," -he continued when the tumult of excited voices -had died away into silence, "that the persons under -discussion be put forth for a little space."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This command being obeyed with alacrity by -the underlings of Caleb, the speaker resumed in a -deep measured voice. "As I have listened to the -sayings of these men," he said, "my mind hath -sought the past, for it is in the experiences of -years gone by that man hath ever found the best -council for the exigencies of the present. To -adopt excessive measures for the disruption of this -new sect would, in my opinion, be not only unwise -in the present disturbed state of the populace, but -actually dangerous. I have mingled with the -multitude and I know that whereof I speak; -therefore take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do -as touching these men. Turning, as I have -suggested, to the annals of the past, we find that -before these days there rose up a certain Theudas, -boasting himself to be somebody, to whom a -number of men, about four hundred, joined -themselves. After a time he was slain in a brawl, and -all who believed on him were speedily scattered -and brought to naught. Again, somewhat later -appeared Judas, a Galilean, in the days of the -taxing, and drew away much people after him; he -also perished, and those who had obeyed him were -dispersed. So now I say unto you, refrain from -these men and let them alone, for if this preaching -and healing which they do be of men it will -speedily come to naught. But if, on the other -hand, it be of God, ye cannot overthow it, lest -haply ye be found to fight against God."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A deep murmur of approval followed these -words, after which a number of the more -influential ones expressed themselves as in favor of -adopting the safe and conservative course -recommended by the wise doctor of the laws who had -spoken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently, when all had been said, Annas arose -and looked about him. In the hush that followed, -the tumult of the surging multitudes without could -be distinctly heard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Though I believe that these men and their -works are neither of man nor of God, but of the -devil," he began, his voice shaking with suppressed -excitement, "yet is the devil ever watchful of his -own, and the populace are not to be trifled with -at the present moment; therefore do I agree with -the worshipful Gamaliel in thinking that the safe -course for ourselves and for the cause which we -serve will be, as he hath suggested, to let the men -be for the present. I am not without hope of -interesting Herod in the matter. Let it come to -his ears once that these fellows are preaching to -the people that their Master is shortly coming -back to establish his throne in Jerusalem--as -I can bring witnesses to testify--and he will -speedily take care of them that say such things. -I will therefore command that the men be -scourged in our presence, which may prove a -wholesome corrective to their mistaken zeal; -after that they shall be released."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This accordingly was done, the dignitaries -looking on calmly whilst the scourging was -administered by the underlings of the temple police.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the sickening sound of the blows had at -length ceased, Annas again spoke. "There is -somewhat that ye have still to answer for," he -said. "How is it that ye made good your escape -from the prison? These your guards declare that -they stood continually before the doors from the -evening when ye were incarcerated even until the -morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of John glowed with a celestial light. -"The angel of the Lord, whose we are and whom -we serve, came and fetched us out, and the eyes -of the keepers were holden that they wist not -when we went by them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas eyed the speaker with a mocking smile. -"How is it," he said slowly, his eyes lingering -with manifest satisfaction upon the crimson marks -of the scourging, "that he who delivered fhee -from the prison house, was not able also to deliver -thee from the hands of them that beat thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We were delivered from the prison that we -might speak to the people of him who is able to -save them from their sins," answered John. Then -he also smiled, but it was as an angel might have -smiled, on whom the King immortal, invisible, had -conferred some high and heavenly boon. "The -servant is not above his Lord," he said, "and if -we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; -he hath gone to prepare a place for us, that where -he is, there we may be also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Annas rose in his wrath. "Let what ye -have received at our hands serve to remind you -that ye are forbidden to speak the name of the -crucified Galilean in Jerusalem. Further -disobedience shall meet with a punishment to which this -shall be as nothing." Then were the apostles -thrust out from the council chamber; and they -departed, rejoicing greatly that they were counted -worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily -in the temple and in every house where dwelt -them that believed, they ceased not to teach and -preach Jesus Christ.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-shadow-of-the-wall"><span class="large">CHAPTER XIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE SHADOW OF THE WALL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Then thou wilt not go with me this morning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I must not; this morning I am to learn -how to spin. The mother of Jesus will teach me; -afterward I shall make for thee a tunic. Now thou -seest what a thing it is to have eyes." Anat -looked down at the small hands which lay folded in -her lap. "These," she continued, spreading out -the slender brown fingers, "have hitherto been as -idle as the hands of a princess, but the lady Mary -says that they must learn many things, if with them -I would serve him that healed me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth looked half regretfully into the eager face. -"Then we shall no more dwell by ourselves as -heretofore? Hast thou forgotten the desert?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not forgotten, but I would like to stay here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And the dromedary?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou must find it. It was not I who would -leave it without in the hands of a stranger. The -lord of the desert is just in requiring it at thy -hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lad turned away. "Be it so," he cried -angrily. "Till I have found it, thou wilt see my -face no more; if that be never, why then----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seth, Seth! Stay a moment, my brother! do -not leave me so!" But he was gone, and without -turning his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I find the beast?" he muttered to -himself crossly, as he plunged into the labyrinth -of narrow streets. "I have asked everywhere for -the man Gestas, no one knows him; as for the -white dromedary, men look at me as if I were a -witless fool when I speak of it. If now I were in -Egypt, I should offer a libation to Ptah Hotep, or -fetch a garland to the temple of the sacred bull, -then might I receive wisdom; if I pray to the gods -of this land, how will they heed me who am an -alien?" At this point in his meditation the lad -flung himself down in the shadow of an archway, -his eyes following idly the darting flight of the -sparrows overhead; something in their noisy -crying brought back the memory of the day when he -bent half distracted over the unconscious form of -Anat. "There is a God who can hear somewhere," -he said half aloud. "For he both heard and -answered the man who healed Anat; yet is it a -great thing to heal blindness, I dare not ask him -to help me find a beast of burden. Is there not -some smaller god who cares for common things? -'Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your -Father.'" Where had he heard those words? It -was John who had spoken them after the scourging -before the council. "That means his father, not -mine;" he went on meditatively, "I am not a Jew. -Yet are there sparrows in Egypt also; if I pray to -this God, he will not I suppose strike me dead; I -will try and see what comes of it. God of this -land--Jesus--if that be thy name! I am as thou seest -an Egyptian, and I know not what offering is -pleasing unto thee; and if I knew I could not provide it, -for I am poorer than yonder sparrow. Yet if it be -true that thou dost care for such, help me also, I -pray thee, to find the white dromedary, which is -justly required at my hands by the lord of the desert."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he had prayed thus, a vague comfort stole -into his heart; he opened his eyes and looking -down the street, saw coming toward him two men. -One of them he instantly recognized as the man in -whose keeping he had left the dromedary; with a -little cry of joy he started to his feet, but shrank -back again into the archway, and seeing a broken -place in the wall, he squeezed himself into it and -stood motionless. "I will follow after them when -they have passed by," he thought within himself. -"It may be that so I shall come upon the beast -unawares; if he sees me, it will not come to pass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the two paused beneath the archway, and -finally sat down on the stones, neither of them -noticing the motionless figure in the black shadow -of the broken wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me thy flask if thou hast in it a swallow -of wine; I am parched with the heat," said the -one who was called Gestas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no wine," replied the other; "water is -better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pah!" grunted Gestas testily, motioning away -the proffered flask. "I do not drink water; 'tis fit -only for the beasts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art assuredly right, good friend; the best -of the wine is not too good for thee. Do but a -trifling service for me, and thou shalt not lack for -the necessary gold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wouldst thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Jew hesitated for a moment as if he scarcely -knew how to proceed. Seth cautiously peered -out from his hidden nook; he saw that the man -was well dressed and had, moreover, an air of -importance. He listened eagerly for his next -words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art the man who witnessed before Pilate -against the malefactors, Dumachus and Titus, who -afterward suffered with the Nazarene."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas started visibly, he drew away a little and -fixed his small twinkling eyes on his companion -with a mixture of bravado and apprehension.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What if I be?" he said at length. "I was -discharged by the governor with but twenty stripes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, but since then thou hast also--" here the -speaker lowered his voice so that Seth lost what -followed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas sprang to his feet with a great oath, and -half drew his knife. "Thou knowest too much by -half," he cried; "I am minded to send thee where -thou mayest prate of this to the shades."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peace, braggart!" said his companion, a shade -of contempt in his voice. "I am not unarmed. -But thou canst see that had I spoken the word -thou wouldst even now be rotting without the -walls. I did not choose, because--thou canst serve -me. Sit down and listen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas obeyed. "It is murder, I suppose," he -said sullenly. "I know you all, you rich men! -You force us poor devils to accomplish your black -deeds, and dole out to us a scanty pittance from -your hoarded gold; but if there be other recompense, -such as the scourge or the cross, it is ours -without grudging. Thirty pieces of silver they -paid for the Nazarene; I know, for I saw it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What if it be thirty pieces of gold this time?" -said the Jew softly. "The Iscariot was an ignorant -Galilean; he was satisfied with the silver. It was -enough," he added with a shrug, "for he hanged -himself immediately thereafter because of his -remorse. Now thou wouldst not do that, I dare venture?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I? Never! Else I had been dead a score of -times already. But the matter in hand, what is it? -I make no bargain, understand, till I know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis simple enough--and--safe. Only the -disposal of a man without family, and--yes--without -friends. He is moreover blood-guilty; his removal -is therefore lawful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why then dost thou----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why do I not perform the deed myself? A -proper question; thou hast understanding. It -is--most sapient Gestas--not my affair. I represent -another; that other is not in a position to avenge -himself personally, nevertheless he will be avenged. -Wilt thou undertake this--for thirty pieces of gold?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ten pieces now--thirty afterward, and I will do it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say five now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, ten; I have no mind to risk my life for -a pittance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other produced his wallet, albeit with some -show of reluctance, and passed it into the hand of -Gestas. "There are just ten pieces within," he -remarked. "Thou mayest count them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas fumbled over the coins deliberately, -counting them in a sibilant whisper. -"One--two--three--four--five--six--seven--eight--nine--ten. -Yes ten--and a bit of silver." Then he lifted -the pouch to the light and looked at it critically; -"I will keep this also--and the silver," he added -with a knowing leer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course, keep that also," said his companion, -eying him with an inscrutable smile. "But I -have not told thee the man's name. His head -must thou deliver to me this very night at -midnight, if thou wouldst receive the thirty pieces. -It is known to me where thou art encamped with -thy followers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I make no secret of that," said Gestas with a -boastful laugh. "There is good water for our -beasts in the valley of Hinnom, and it is not too -far from the highway. If therefore thou wilt be in -waiting just without the Jaffa gate, the head shall -be delivered into thy hand at the hour named; if -not to-night, why then to-morrow night; one must -have time to snare the bird. But thou hast not yet -told me the name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True; well then listen!" leaning forward, the -Jew whispered for a little space into the ear of -Gestas, who nodded twice or thrice as if he -understood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know the man," he said. "No one better; he -should by right be about another business," then he -laughed aloud as if something afforded him much -secret amusement. "I have done for the father, I -am once avenged; now I will be twice avenged, -which is better. I know also how to lure him into -a safe place. Thou wilt not fail with the thirty -pieces?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I swear by the Temple that I will not fail."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good! Now there is another matter; I have in -my camp a dromedary of great swiftness which I -wish to dispose of at a fair price; the animal is -young, docile, well trained; it is moreover of a -white color; I have never seen the like. I bought -the beast of a caravan and paid for it a great sum."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No doubt," replied his companion suavely; -"but let us first finish the matter in hand. One -thing at a time, and diligently done, maketh a well -ordered life," he continued piously. "So then I -leave the affair in thy hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayest trust me!" cried Gestas with a -great laugh; he rose as he spoke and brought down -his broad palm on the other man's shoulder with a -sounding thwack. "Thou hast made no mistake -in putting the matter into my hands, it will--" here -he stopped short and stared fixedly into the shadow -of the arch. "Body of Jove!" he exclaimed. "It -seems that we are not alone!" And reaching forward, -he grasped the wretched Seth by the shoulder -and dragged him forth into the sunlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wast thou doing there, thou devil's imp? -Nay, but thou shalt answer dearly for this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Seth had not shifted for himself all his -thirteen years of life for naught. He instantly -perceived that the man did not recognize him; -rubbing his eyes stupidly, he stammered out -something about sleeping soundly. Then he stretched -out his hand toward the Jew who was regarding -him suspiciously from under his bent brows, and -whined out a petition for alms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou that I give thee a gold piece?" said -Gestas in the Greek tongue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seth regarded him blankly. "I do not understand, -honored sir," he said humbly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The companion of Gestas looked relieved. "It -is safe enough if the beggar understood us not," -he said. "Best take him along with you and make -him secure till afterward; then release him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may be that he doth not understand," rejoined -Gestas, staring fixedly at the lad with his -fierce red eyes; "yet there is but one kind of a -man who can be trusted to tell no tales, and that is -a dead man. All languages are alike to the tongue -that hath ceased to move; any other tongue is to -be feared."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other shrugged his shoulders indifferently. -"Ah well, do with him as thou wilt; life can be -nothing to such as he. Only take him away. Till -the hour and place of our agreement, farewell!" -and turning he walked rapidly away, without once -looking behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For an instant Seth meditated flight; but the -burly figure of Gestas was planted directly in front -of him; to elude him would be impossible. Raising -his eyes he saw the brown head and bright eyes -of a sparrow, perched securely upon the ledge of -the arch above him; the little creature was regarding -the scene with apparent curiosity. Presently -with a wild cry it darted away to join its fellows. -The lad followed its flight with envious eyes, and -for the second time he remembered the strange -words of John, "Not a sparrow falleth to the -ground without your Father." Again he prayed -to the unknown God who minded even the little -wild things of the air, and as before he was comforted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas was evidently considering the situation -with care, for he continued to stand silent before -his prisoner, his arms akimbo, his small savage -eyes riveted upon the figure before him. "Wouldst -thou that I release thee?" he asked suddenly in -the Greek tongue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it please thee, good sir," responded Seth, -quite off his guard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas smiled evilly. "It doth not please me, -boy. Now march before me--so. Remember that -I have in my hand a knife." And grasping the -boy by the shoulders, he shoved him with a kind of -terrible gentleness into the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Like one in a dream the lad walked before his -captor. From time to time he looked wildly -about in the vain hope of rescue, but the few -passers-by went about their business with unseeing -eyes, and an occasional prick of the knife from -behind warned him that instant death awaited him -should he venture to cry out. At length they had -passed quite out of the city; here Gestas paused -for a moment, and seeing that no one was by, he -proceeded to bind the lad's hands securely behind -his back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art such a proper liar," he remarked with -a grin, "that I am minded to leave thee alive for a -while longer." Seth made no reply, nor did he cry -out when Gestas playfully thrust the knife within -a hair's breadth of his throat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I must die," he thought, "I will at least die -like a man." Then he remembered Anat sitting -happily at her spinning at the feet of the gentle -Mary; the tears rose to his eyes and brimming -over rolled in great drops down his brown cheeks. -He shook them off valiantly. "Tears do not -become a man," he said to himself sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, come, my lad," cried Gestas, "my -business requireth haste as well as diligence. We -must be getting on." Then feeling very merry -indeed, he put up his knife and fetched out his -newly-acquired pouch; shaking it so that all the -gold pieces within clinked musically, he strode -along, chanting a pagan rhyme of Bacchus and the -pleasures of the vine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a time they reached one of the narrow -denies which wind between the hills on either side -of the Valley of Hinnom, and here they presently -came upon the encampment, cunningly placed -within a copse of low-growing trees on the edge of -a stream.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half a score of men were scattered about upon -the greensward, some of them eating and drinking, -others playing at dice, and others still stretched -out at full length in the shade asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The arrival of Gestas and his prisoner was greeted -with a shout of laughter. "Ha! our worthy chief -hath made a notable capture," cried one, sauntering -up to Seth and looking down at him. "A -mighty man of valor is he truly to accomplish the -overthrow of such as this. How many bags of -gold didst thou take from him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas winked significantly. "I shall take three, -if the gods prosper me," he replied; then he bound -the lad's ankles together, and bidding the man keep -an eye upon the prisoner, he threw himself down -upon the ground and demanded food and drink. -Two or three others gathered about him, and to -these he talked rapidly in low tones as he ate; but -nothing of what was being said reached the ears of -Seth, who was beginning to suffer intense agony -from the tightness of the cords with which his -wrists and ankles were bound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He ventured at length to speak of this to the -man who had been detailed to watch him; his -guard good-naturedly loosened the bonds, then -relapsed into a doze, which presently deepened into -a heavy sleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the hours crept slowly by, Seth worked -cautiously and unceasingly to loosen further the cords -at his wrists. Towards evening he found to his -intense joy that his hands were free. No one -noticed him; the man at his feet still slept heavily; -and after awhile he ventured stealthily to undo the -thongs which bound his feet together; then he sat -motionless, not daring to stir till the shadows should -deepen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As evening drew on, Gestas accompanied by two -of the other men left the camp; he cast a glance -in the direction of the lad as he passed by him, -and hesitated for a moment as if he were minded -to examine his bonds, but finally went his way. -No sooner had he disappeared, than the lad crept -away among the trees and bushes; before many -minutes he had reached the edge of the thicket, -here he paused breathlessly to listen, then rising -to his feet, ran like the wind in the direction of -the city.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must find Ben Hesed," he said. "He will -know what to do."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="without-the-jaffa-gate"><span class="large">CHAPTER XX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WITHOUT THE JAFFA GATE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The sunset hour was always a time of peace and -peculiar joy in the house of John. The toils -and dangers of the day being well over, the family -were wont to gather upon the housetop, there to -talk over what had happened during the hours that -were passed. The golden glories of the dying day -served to bring to their minds, each recurring -evening, that place beyond the toils and sorrows of -earth which their Lord had gone to prepare, and -toward which each day's journey was swiftly -hurrying them. Here the mother of Jesus sat enshrined -in saintly peace; here also were John and Peter -with the other apostles; Anna, the wife of Caiaphas, -Stephen, and of late the black-eyed Egyptian -maiden, together with many others who came to -them for help, instruction, or healing. The -number of such homes was daily increasing in -Jerusalem; yet it was at this door, perhaps more often -than at any other, that wretched humanity knocked -for admittance, and admittance was always granted. -For to these had been committed the ministry of -the ascended Christ, with all that this signified of -power and of blessing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To-night into their midst came Ben Hesed, to -talk once more with the apostles concerning the -Crucified One. He brought with him the scrolls of -the Prophecies, for he was troubled about certain -points therein.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How is it," he said, "that it is written, -'Accursed be every one that hangeth upon the -tree?' Surely God's Anointed could not be accursed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou doubt concerning him already?" -asked Peter sternly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I doubt not, man; my spirit witnesseth -within me that the thing is true. But I would fain -be able to speak convincingly to them which believe -not, when I shall have returned into the wilderness. -It is not granted to every one to behold the -angel of deliverance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken wisely, who art wise," said -John gently. "The young man Stephen doth -without ceasing make study of that which hath -been written aforetime concerning the Christ. -Yea, the spirit also hath revealed to him many -things which have been hid from the eyes of -the wise; and this to our profit who are sorely -beset with the duties of our ministry. Read, I -beseech thee, my brother, from the scroll which -thou hast prepared."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Concerning him which hath been hanged, it is -written in the law thus," said Stephen, who a little -apart from the others had been poring in silence -over a number of parchments. "'If a man have -committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to -death, and thou hang him upon a tree. His body -shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou -shalt surely bury him that day; for he that is -hanged is accursed of God. That thy land be not -defiled which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an -inheritance.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But and if a sinless and holy man be put to -death by false accusation, how is it that he is -accursed? Herein is a great mystery, which as yet -we see only in part, nor indeed can it be -apprehended of mortals, that God gave his only begotten -Son, not only that he should live amongst us a -holy and sinless life, but that he should yield up -that life in all meekness at the hands of his -enemies. This also being the will of the Father -concerning him; as he himself said, and as the voice -of many prophets declare--who being dead yet -speak to us in the words of the scripture. Are we -not every one accursed, for we have sinned in the -sight of God; and he, the sinless one, hath -through the infinite compassion of the Father -become accursed in our place. Even as it is -written by the hand of the prophet Isaiah, 'He was -wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised -for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace -was upon him and with his stripes we are healed.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And behold these sayings--'I gave my back to -the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked -off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and -from spitting'--'The assembly of the wicked have -closed in upon me, they pierced my hands and -my feet'--'They parted my garments among them, -and cast lots upon my vesture'--'They gave me -also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave -me vinegar to drink'--'I became a reproach unto -them, when they looked upon me they wagged -their heads.' And this, 'his visage was so marred -more than any man, and his form more than the -sons of men'--'He was despised and rejected of -men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; -and we hid as it were our faces from him'--'He -was taken from prison and from judgment and who -shall declare his generation, for he was cut off -out of the land of the living, for the transgression -of my people was he stricken'--'And he made -his grave with the wicked and with the rich in -his death.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All these sayings I found concerning him," -continued the young man gravely, "written many -generations before his birth; they might have -been writ yesterday by one who witnessed his -death. Also by the hand of the prophet Daniel is -this: 'And after three score and two weeks shall -Messiah be cut off, but not for himself, and the -people of the prince that shall come shall destroy -the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof -shall be as a flood, and unto the end of the war -desolations are determined.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The end is yet to come," said Ben Hesed, -involuntarily clenching his strong hands and looking -toward the walls of the mighty temple, which -shone white and mystical in the soft light of the -rising moon.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He himself foretold all that hath happened," -said John sorrowfully, "and what is yet to come; -how that he should be delivered up to the Romans, -and should be mocked and spitefully entreated, -spitted upon, scourged and crucified. It lay heavily -upon him so that even he, who walked ever in the -light of God, was exceeding sorrowful; and when -he looked to us for sympathy that last awful night, -we--slept. God forgive us!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath forgiven us all things," said Peter. -"He bore our sins in his own body on the tree. -For the love of him, shall we not gladly suffer -what shall yet befall us? for he told us plainly -that the world would hate us, even as it hated -him; that we also should be persecuted, scourged, -and put to death. Yet how soon will all be past, -and then we shall go to him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the silence which followed these words a loud -knocking was heard at the outer gate of the -courtyard. Stephen arose quietly from his place and -descended the stair. When he had opened the -door, he saw standing in the street a man. He was -meanly clad, as Stephen could see by the dim -light; therefore his voice was more gentle than -usual as he said:--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What wilt thou, friend?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there here a young man called Stephen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am he; wilt thou enter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man shuffled uneasily on his feet, then -looked furtively up and down the street. "There -be a sick man who hath need of thee for healing -and strong words of thy faith," he said at length, -fixing his eyes upon Stephen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wouldst thou not rather inquire for one of the -twelve?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, it was for one Stephen, a Greek, I was -bidden to ask. The man I have spoken of is also -a Greek, and would not ask for healing at the -hands of a Jew."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The healing cometh from God," said Stephen -gravely. "I will come though. Where is the sick -man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will show thee where he lieth," said the man -eagerly; "and I pray thee to make haste, for his -case is desperate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me first speak to them that are within, I -will join thee immediately," said Stephen, stepping -back into the courtyard and leaving the door partly -open.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man listened to the sound of his retreating -steps as he ascended the stair. "They be all -above," he muttered, stepping softly within. "Now -if by any chance--Ha! what is this? A capital -warm cloak, 'twill serve to shelter me these chill -nights. Body of Jove! but I am always in luck of -late!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Stephen returned, the man was waiting -humbly without as he had left him. The two -immediately set forth, the man going before; they -walked swiftly through the dark narrow streets, -the stranger glancing frequently over his shoulder -to make sure that Stephen was following. After a -time he paused, "'Tis without the walls," he -muttered hoarsely. "We must pass through the Jaffa -Gate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is moonlight," said Stephen rather -absently, raising his eyes to the heavens, where in -truth his thoughts had been as he followed his -strange guide.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is moonlight," repeated the man with a -hoarse chuckle. "So much the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked at the speaker more attentively -than he had done at first; the white light which -poured down from above revealing clearly every -feature of the brutal face before him. He started -visibly. "I have somewhere seen thee before!" he -exclaimed. "Nay I know now, thou art of them -who formerly----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man laughed aloud. "I am Gestas; second -in authority to Dumachus, who was chief of our -band--and your father. Since the Romans put an -end to him, along with Titus and the Nazarene, I -have been chief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And is it one of your followers who is in need -of healing?" asked Stephen, shrinking back a -little with something of his old-time dread.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is. Art thou afraid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No," returned Stephen quietly, "I am not -afraid; surely of all men ye are most in need of -the mighty help of the risen Lord; 'twere most -fitting if so be that I may bring it into your -midst."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gestas looked at him with an indescribable -mixture of contempt and pity. "Thou art a pretty -enough fellow," he said, running his eyes over -the slender but well-knit figure. "A thought too -pretty indeed. Why art thou contented to pass -thy days in the company of a band of crazy fools, -who will end as their Master did--though he -merited it not--on the cross. Why take the -devil's wages without the devil's pleasures first? -If now, I die on the cross, it will be for reasons -better than preaching, praying, and the healing -of dirty beggar folk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Afterward is the judgment," said Stephen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A fig for the afterwards!" cried Gestas. "Who -knows anything about that? But, come," he -added with a sudden change in his tones, "it lacks -but an hour of midnight; thou must be gone -before that time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not in haste to be gone," said Stephen -gently. "I will remain until morning, if I can do -anything to help."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is naught that thou canst do--after -midnight," said Gestas gruffly. "If there is an -afterwards," he muttered, "it will make no -difference to him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two walked silently for a time, pausing -at length at the edge of a low-growing coppice, -through the interlacing branches of which could -be seen the fitful flash of a dying fire. Making -their way through the thicket by a winding path -evidently well known to Gestas, the twain -presently found themselves in the centre of the -encampment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the dying man?" said Stephen, -eager to begin his ministry of love.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For answer, Gestas seized him by the arm and -hurried him forward into the midst of a dark -group of figures which seemed to be awaiting -their approach. "Thou art the dying man!" he -whispered hoarsely. "Prepare for thy afterwards -swiftly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half involuntarily, Stephen made a mighty -unavailing effort to free himself from the grasp -of the ruffian who held him; life on a sudden -looked very sweet to him. It could not be that -God had appointed such an end as this for one -who would serve him long and faithfully. Surely -he was too young to die. Yet not younger than -Titus, who had gone by the horrible way of the -cross to be with him in Paradise. At the thought -a great peace possessed his soul. "Not my will -but thine be done," he murmured aloud, raising -his eyes to the stars which glittered keenly -through the interlacing branches overhead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So this is the man!" cried a rough voice, as -a dozen hands bound him to the trunk of a tree. -"It may be that if he hath the power to heal, as -they say, he will be master also of other magic -arts, which he will use to our undoing. Best -make way with him quickly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked about on the crowd of evil faces -which surrounded him, and a great wave of pity -for his tormentors swept over him. So far were -they from God, so deep in unfathomable depths -of misery. For himself he felt no fear; from -earth to heaven was but a single step.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Men and brethren," he cried, and his voice -rang out clear and sweet upon the startled air. -"Let me live for yet a little space, till I shall -declare unto you the words of life. For such as you, -Jesus died upon the cross; he will save you from -out the misery of this present life, and afterward -give you the life that endeth not. Only believe on -him and forsake your evil ways."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Prate not to us of thy Jewish Messiah," cried -one. "He is not for us, even if what thou sayest be -true. We must die as we have lived. We be -uncircumcised Greeks that care not for an everlasting -abode with them that spit upon us in this life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, but he died for the sins of the world, and -he is risen from death to abide forever with the -Father which made the Greek as well as the Jew, -and loveth both alike."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give to us a sign!" cried another. "If what -thou hast said be true, let the man Jesus come -down out of the heavens and deliver thee, then will -we believe on him; nay, more, thou shalt be our -leader in place of Gestas here--who is too stupid -to be chief."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this Gestas swore a great oath of rage. -"Stand back, all of you," he cried. "I will smite -him; and there is none that shall deliver him out -of my hand, either on earth or in heaven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he raised his arm; Stephen caught the -keen glitter of the steel. He closed his eyes. His -lips moved in prayer. Something smote him on -the breast, but it was not the soul-delivering blade, -as he dimly realized ere his senses left him. -Gestas, stricken full in the heart by an arrow sped from -the bow of an unseen archer, had leapt straight into -the air without a cry, then falling limply, his head -striking against the prisoner, he lay, a grim -unsightly heap, at Stephen's feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The others stood for an instant aghast, then with -wild cries of fear they fled away into the thicket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear the knaves have done for him, whoever -he be," cried a voice, as the figure of a young man -bounded out of the bushes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my son," said Ben Hesed, who had -followed more deliberately, "the miscreant had but -raised his blade when my arrow smote him; let us -loose the man here and get away from this place -with all speed, for they will return and fall upon -us, if they find that we be few."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must fetch the white dromedary," said the -voice of Seth, at his elbow. "It is in yonder glade."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be quick, then; there is no time to lose!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moon had looked down for a full hour longer -upon the dark motionless something, which lay -just where it had fallen on the soft grass, when the -thicket again opened and a man peered out. He -looked about him cautiously, then turned and spoke -reassuringly to some one behind him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is no one here, Joca; come on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a bolt from heaven assuredly which smote -him; for there is naught missing save the man," -said the other, looking keenly about in his turn at -the familiar scene; "Let us get away from this -place; I am sick of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay! we will return to Greece where the old -gods yet rule; I like not the ways of the god of -this land; but first--" And the speaker -cautiously approached the body of Gestas. "He hath -something about him, which we shall have more -need of than he. Ah! here it is, ten good -pieces--if he have not already spent some of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there were to have been thirty pieces more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay! and more's the pity that they be lost to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why need they be lost to us, man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What meanest thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Joca whispered something in his companion's -ear, whereat the other chuckled hoarsely.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?" he cried, "thou art a son of -Minerva to have thought it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The servant of Annas had waited outside the -Jaffa gate for nearly two hours; he was growing -impatient at last.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will not stay longer," he muttered, "something -hath miscarried in the matter; it will be -to-morrow--if the knave hath not failed me altogether."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But even as he spoke he saw a man approaching -him. He at once stood forth in the full moonlight, -bidding his companions remain within the shadow -of the wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man came up to him swiftly. "Art thou -he who hath thirty pieces of gold to give in -exchange for a strange commodity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am he. Hast thou the commodity?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay! it is here; wilt thou see it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Jew shuddered at sight of the bag which -the other tendered him. "No!" he said shortly. -"Take the money and be gone." Then he turned -to one of the slaves who waited his orders. "Take -this," he commanded, "and fetch it to the palace."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="not-a-sparrow-falleth"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">NOT A SPARROW FALLETH.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Something more than two years after the -events narrated in the preceding chapter, a -little group of men might have been seen standing -in the portico of a building known as the -Synagogue of the Nazarenes. They were conversing in -low tones, but their excited gestures and gloomy -faces betrayed the fact that the topic which they -were discussing was not a pleasant one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is unquestioned and open partiality on -the part of the apostles toward them that be of -Hebrew birth and descent," said one bitterly. -"Though we be circumcised and walk after the law -in all diligence, the fact that we are Greeks can be -neither overlooked nor forgiven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mind not what they think;" cried another -sturdily, "a Greek is as good as a Jew any day, and -we be all servants of one Master, even Christ; but -it is not just that our widows and fatherless be -neglected in the daily distributions, for we have all -given freely of our substance into the common fund."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I like not to boast, my Andronicus," said the -third man almost in a whisper, "but I cannot -forbear the thought that had I retained in mine own -power what I aforetime laid down at the apostles' -feet--freely and in all humility of mind, these tales -of neglect would not now be coming to our ears."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>None of the three had observed that a fourth man -had joined himself to the group, till the newcomer -spoke. "The neglect of which thou dost complain, -my brothers," he said in a deep musical voice, "is -not a neglect born of contempt for us because we -are Greeks. I know these men through and -through; they rest not day nor night, but labor -incessantly, and in all unselfishness and love for -the church, yet is the burden too heavy for them. -Christ healed many that were sick and fed many -that were hungry. Yet there remain multitudes of -them that are blind, of them that are lepers, of -them that hunger, who were also blind, leprous, and -hungry, when our Master walked the earth. They -came not unto him, and how could he succor them, -being burdened with this humanity which doth irk -us all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What thou hast said, my Stephen, is true," -admitted Andronicus. "But it is also true that -among the Jewish widows there is no lack, while -Priscilla and her little ones remained two days -without food. Had she refrained from joining -herself to us, she would have continued to receive aid -from the Temple treasury; the woman herself -declared it, and I could not gainsay her had I wished -it. If there be not neglect born of contempt, there -is assuredly a lack of wisdom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What hath been done for Priscilla?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My wife ministered to her necessities, as well -as to those of Julia and Eunice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou spoken of this to Peter?" asked -Stephen, looking troubled and turning to one of -the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I have not spoken of it; there should be -no need to speak, say I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forget not the word of the Master, 'Judge not -that ye be not judged,' said Stephen, gravely. -"We must look carefully within before we lightly -censure any man--least of all the chosen and anointed -ones of our Lord." Then after a thoughtful pause -he added, "I will myself speak with John -concerning these things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man who had first spoken, and who was called -Apelles, looked after him as he walked away. -"From him I can suffer reproof as from no -other;" he said, "he hath within him the very -spirit of the ascended One."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Like the ascended One, he hath also enemies -in high places;" said Andronicus, significantly, -"the continued attempts made upon his life bear -witness to the fact."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What dost thou mean? He was threatened, -it is true, by certain of the Sadducees because of -his boldness in declaring the resurrection in their -very midst, but no man laid hands on him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Herodians, and especially the Pharisee -from Tarsus, are bitter against him for some -reason, which perhaps we understand not wholly. -Hast thou forgotten his rescue by Ben Hesed -more than two years ago; and also what happened -thrice since--when by the barest chance he -escaped with his life?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True, he has been mercifully preserved amidst -great dangers; but each time there was a simple -enough cause for the peril without attributing it -to an enemy," said Apelles, thoughtfully. "Once -it was from robbers, who would have slain him -from the mere lust of murder, as is their wont. -Again, a heavy stone fell from the wall above as -he spake to the people, barely missing his head in -its descent."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I know all that thou wouldst say;" broke -in the other, "but listen! Yesterday a basket of -fruit was sent him, bearing a scroll inscribed thus: -'This fruit is for the saintly Stephen, from one -who believes that the apples of Paradise are none -too fair for such as he.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A pretty conceit assuredly!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A most lovely conceit! Had he eaten, as the -sender supposed that he would do, even now would -the apples of Paradise be within his grasp."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What meanest thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I will not eat of this fair fruit,' said Stephen, -'instead I will bear it to the aged Clement, who -hath only of late joined himself to us,' but while -he waited for a convenient season for taking the -gift, the fruit stood without on the ledge of the -window, and the birds came and pecked it. Before -they could fly away after their stolen meal the -little creatures dropped dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Horror! the fruit was poisoned then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly. Now thou seest that he hath an enemy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have my suspicions, and have warned him. -His answer was this, 'He is with me alway even -unto the end; until my appointed time there is -nothing that shall be able to hurt me; neither -shall I fear what man can do to me.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wonderful! I have confessed that Jesus is -the Christ, but I fear me my faith in him is but a -poor thing compared with that of Stephen; had the -like happened to me I should have fled the city."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Twas what I urged upon him. Go away from -Jerusalem, I said. There be Jews in every city of -Greece who would gladly hear thee of the Christ; -in the land of thy fathers shalt thou dwell in -safety. But he shook his head. 'The day is not -far distant,' he made answer, 'when not alone to -the Jews shall this salvation be preached, but unto -every people and kindred and tongue beneath the -heavens; for Christ came to save the world, and -therefore shall the world be saved; but it is not I -who am called to this work; my place is here.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While the two Greeks thus spoke one to another -of Stephen, the young man himself was passing -rapidly through the streets towards his home, his -thoughts busied chiefly with what Andronicus had -told him concerning the daily ministrations. "The -matter must be looked to," he said to himself. -"The twelve are not sufficient for the work, God -be praised. So mightily hath the spirit worked -with and for us, that the day is not far distant -when the cross shall cease to be a symbol of shame -and hissing among men and shall everywhere be -hailed the sacred token of deliverance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Communing thus within himself he lifted up his -eyes and beheld the square which lay before the -palace of Pilate. "It was here," he murmured, -"that they brought him on the day of his death. -It was here that the people cried out 'Crucify -him--Crucify him!' Ah, that awful day--nay rather -that day of days, decreed from the foundations of -the world!" Then he passed on into the square, -being minded to look for a moment on the very -place where he knew the Man of Sorrows had -stood so patiently on that last day of his earthly -life. As he approached the mosaic of many-colored -marbles which marked the place of the judgment -seat, a Roman chariot containing two men and -drawn by a pair of powerful black horses dashed -into the square.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost see that fellow yonder, Herod?" -exclaimed the man who stood behind the driver. "I -mean the one with the white robe. 'Tis that -beggarly Greek, Stephen, who hath been setting the -city on an uproar of late with his driveling cant. -I hate the whole blasphemous brood, but he is -most contemptible of all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will engage to run him down, if thou sayest -it," said the man who held the reins, and across -whose white tunic streamed a scarf of the imperial -purple.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be it so!" answered his companion with a -malignant scowl. "'Twill be a happy accident -that rids the world of such an one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An accident of course," said the other with a -brutal laugh. "Who would dare question it?" And -he brought the long lash with a whistling -curl about the glossy flanks of the horses; they -leapt forward as one. Something else also leapt -forward. There was a cry, and the sound of the iron -hoofs was horribly dulled for an instant, then the -chariot thundered on, and swept into the avenue -beyond the palace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the gods, Alexander!" cried Herod. "Didst -see the man who leapt forward from behind? He -dragged the beggar forth just in time; another -instant and he would have been crushed beneath -our wheels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I saw, yes," answered the other, grinding his -teeth. "The wretch bears a charmed life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will drive back to inquire of the accident," -pursued Herod with a sneering laugh. "Pollux -there struck something softer than the pavement. -Hey! Pollux, my beauty? If it chanced to be the -man's head he will prate no more of dead -malefactors--nor yet of live ones. How now, fellow!" -he shouted, reining in his struggling horses as -they approached the borders of the crowd which -had instantly gathered at the scene of the -accident. "Was the man hurt seriously?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not seriously, they say, your Highness," -replied the man to whom he had spoken, bowing -low at sight of his royal questioner; "but the -stranger who rescued him hath beyond doubt -suffered a mortal wound."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The more fool he!" cried Herod contemptuously. -As the horses again sprang forward in -obedience to the lash, he turned to his companion -with a wicked laugh. "'Twere a pretty pastime for -our leisure to root out these pestiferous fellows from -the Holy City, and 'twould doubtless cover a -multitude of sins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May we count on thine assistance, my prince?" -said Alexander eagerly. "We who are against the -Nazarenes grow fewer each day; already the -greater number of Pharisees either believe or -regard them with tolerance. These all declare openly -that the dead carpenter of Galilee is alive and is -like to return any day to rule over Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Herod's face darkened. "Let him return and -attempt it!" he cried angrily. "Behind me--is Rome."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="by-the-thorny-ways-of-his-sin"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BY THE THORNY WAYS OF HIS SIN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Upon a couch in the house of John lay the -stranger who had rescued Stephen from -death. About him were gathered those of the -household who chanced to be at home when the -sad little procession had arrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He gave his life for mine," said Stephen, -solemnly, looking down at the quiet face across -which the shadow of approaching death had already -fallen. "And God hath accepted the sacrifice; it -is not his will that he be restored. Would that I -knew to whom I owe this debt of gratitude before -he goes hence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will recover consciousness, I think, shortly," -said Mary, laying her cool white fingers on the -brow of the sufferer. "He is assuredly not a Jew," -she added, gazing intently at the dark face upon -the pillows. "Fetch me a basin and sponge, my -daughter; it may be that the cool water will -revive him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl to whom she had spoken hastened to -obey. As she stooped to pour water from a jar -which stood without in the courtyard, a young -man hurriedly entered the enclosure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is Stephen?" he cried, as his eye fell -upon the maiden. "I heard but just now that -Herod had crushed him beneath his chariot -wheels. A brutal deed. He that told me was an -eye-witness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the mercy of God," answered the girl with -a half sob, "he hath escaped with a bruise; -another was smitten in his place, and he is dying. I -must hasten with the water!" and she sprang up -and hurried away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man followed, and approaching the -group that surrounded the couch, he looked over -the shoulder of the young girl as she held the -basin ready for the hand of Mary. He started as -his eye fell upon the wounded man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is an Egyptian!" he exclaimed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Even as he spoke, the man opened his eyes. -"Water!" he gasped faintly. Stephen raised the -languid head while the skilful hand of Mary held -the cup.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lay him down again, gently--so," she said in -a low voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Stephen bent over the pillow. "Canst thou -tell us who thou art, and why it was that thou didst -choose the life of another rather than thine own?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dull eyes brightened a little, "Did I save -him? Ah, yes--thanks be to the gods! thou art -alive. Did any hurt befall thee?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay--but I live, alas, because thou art to die."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is well, not only that thou wilt live, but that -I shall die, if the God whom thou dost proclaim will -but count my worthless life a sacrifice for my many -sins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my brother," said Stephen, "if thou dost -but believe on Jesus the Christ, there is no sacrifice -needed for sin; he gave himself a sacrifice for -our transgressions because of the love which he -bare us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It cannot be that he loves me," said the sick -man. "Listen till I shall tell thee all. I am an -Egyptian, my name is Amu----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The maiden who still stood at his bedside grew -very white at the sound of that name, and the -newcomer, who was watching from behind, reached -quietly out and took the basin from her nerveless -fingers. "Anat," he whispered, "'tis a common -enough name."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is he," she returned, "I know the voice--but -listen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Early in life," continued the Egyptian, his -voice gathering strength, "I was even as others, -neither better, nor worse,--'tis not of those days -I would speak, but of the days when I was a man -grown--then it chanced that there came a certain -stranger out of the wilderness with his wife and -child, and sojourned in Egypt. He possessed gold -and bought for himself a plot of land not far from -the river. This he tilled with industry, so that -after a time he gained more gold and bought still -another bit of tillage. Not much, for land was -costly in the neighborhood of the river. I was his -neighbor and I was not unfriendly to him, for he -was a stranger and knew not the ways of the -people, nor at the first the proper grains to cast -into the earth. And because I helped him in such -small matters he loved me and clave to me, as also -his wife; and I was ever an honored guest in their -house. After a time, there came a great sickness -over all the region about the upper Nile, because -the river failed to overflow his banks at the proper -season. The people were wasted by it, and they -died by hundreds and by thousands. My father -and my brothers died; and the plot of land which -had been theirs came to me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After a time the man who had come out of the -wilderness was likewise stricken, and his wife; -and when it presently appeared that they both must -die, he sent for me and spake to me after this -manner, 'My friend, who hath been to me even as a -brother in this land of strangers wherein we have -sojourned, I am sorely stricken, both I and the -mother of the children, and it must presently come -to pass that we be gathered to our fathers; but -before my soul passes I would fain speak to thee -of my little ones who will be left desolate, if so be -that the plague spares them.' 'Speak,' I made -answer, 'I will do with them as thou dost command.' Then -he told me how that he was a Greek born in -Antioch, and the son of a rich man. After his father -died a fierce quarrel arose betwixt the two brothers -over the division of the inheritance; and when -after many days the bitterness still continued, it -came to pass that he smote his brother and -wounded him sore; then taking what he would he -fled away into the wilderness. There he took to -himself a wife from the tribes that wandered in the -desert and afterward came to dwell in Egypt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Now I pray and beseech thee,' he said to me, 'by -all that thou boldest sacred, that thou wilt take my -two children and the price of the land--when thou -shalt have sold it--and fetch them to my brother, -for I have heard that he yet liveth, and say to him -this: Thy brother is dead. He sendeth thee the -money that he took away--and more; and here -are also his two children. Let them find favor in -thy sight, I pray thee, for they are desolate.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I promised my neighbor that I would do what he -desired of me; and I sware it by the temple of -Ptah Hotep, and by the sacred Nile, and by the -soul of my father. And when he had told me his -brother's name and how to find him, he turned -himself about on his bed and spoke no more. In -that same day both he and his wife perished. Of -the two children one was likewise stricken, and I -watched her many days till she recovered. -Afterward I perceived that she had become blind by -reason of the plague.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That season I could not sell the land, for there -were none to buy; so I planted the crops and -reaped them, and the children ate and were -satisfied; but the money I received for the grain I kept, -for I said the laborer is worthy of his wages. The -next season I also planted and reaped, and the -next; and at the time of the third harvest a man -came to me and said, 'Wilt thou sell this land for -thy neighbor's children?' and I answered him -'Nay, I will not sell. My neighbor owed me money -and he died without repaying me, therefore is the -land mine!' And after a time I came almost to -believe what I had said. But I waxed exceeding -bitter against the two children, who were as yet only -babes; so I sent them away to a woman who dwelt -in the tombs above the river; and I paid her to keep -them. Afterward she died, and the two continued -to dwell alone in the tombs. They grew and waxed -strong--though no one cared for them, for the boy -was lusty and brave; he had become a water-carrier. -Still I kept a watch upon them, for I feared lest -they should in some way find out what I had done; -though I confessed it to no one, not even my wife. -After a time the fear grew upon me so that I could -neither eat nor sleep, and I resolved to rid myself -of the two. I had not yet grown evil enough to -wish to slay them, so I turned the thing over in my -mind for many days; at the last I was resolved -what to do. I would sell them for slaves, then -would they be taken away and I should be free -from my fears; not only so, but I should receive -gold, with which to buy more land. But when I -would have accomplished my desires upon them, -they fled away into the desert, and assuredly -perished; for though I searched for them long, I -could never find what had become of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why didst thou search for them," said Seth -suddenly, as the man paused to drink from the cup -which Mary again held to his parched lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I searched for them," replied the man, his eyes -resting upon his questioner's face with a startled -expression, "because--Nay, I hardly know why. I -had repented me of my desire to make slaves of -them, but I was not ready to give up the land."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What became of Besa?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I found him dead in the tomb where he thought -the twain were hidden," answered the Egyptian as -if in a dream. "But who art thou that dost -question me?" and he half raised himself in the bed, -his livid face growing yet more ghastly with the -painful effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are the children of the man thou didst -wrong," said Seth fiercely. "Tell me, what was -the name of our kinsman, that we may yet seek -him as our father willed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His name was Erastus; but, alas, he is dead -now these many years. I sought him that I -might render an account of what I had done, for -I feared death on account of my sin. Neither -dared I pray any more to the avenging gods; for -had I not foresworn myself in their names? So, -because there was no longer any comfort for me in -the lands which I possessed, nor in my children, -nor in anything in the whole land of Egypt, I -became a wanderer in far countries. Here in -Jerusalem not many days since, I chanced to hear -a wondrous thing, 'that they which had sinned -might find peace and forgiveness in one Jesus -of Nazareth, who had lived upon earth that he -might save them which were lost.' That same day -I beheld him that had spoken these words; and -I drew near, desiring to ask him still further of -the matter, when on a sudden I saw that he was -in mortal peril. I scarce know what followed; but -I longed to save him, if only that I might hear -once more the strange story of the man Jesus. -Tell me"--and the man's glazing eyes sought -Stephen--"thou hast heard all--is there -forgiveness for such as I?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is forgiveness for every one that doth -repent and believe in the Lord Jesus," said -Stephen softly. "Surely thou mayest pass in peace, -my brother; for God hath led thee even by the -thorny ways of thy sin unto himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dying man's eyes again brightened, his lips -moved; then he stretched out his hand toward the -youth and the maiden, who had sunken to their -knees by his bedside. "Wilt thou also forgive?" -he murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes--yes. We forgive thee fully, as also we -hope to be forgiven," cried Seth, pressing his lips -to the cold hand which had so cruelly wronged him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thy mother--her name was Zarah," faltered -the Egyptian--"she was the daughter--of--" his -voice failed him; thrice he made an unavailing -effort to speak, then the eternal silence fell softly -upon him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath passed into the presence of the Love -that hath led him through all the weary way of his -life," said Mary solemnly. "There will he find -peace."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-synagogue-of-the-nazarenes"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF THE NAZARENES.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"For what have we been called together at -this time, knowest thou?" asked a man of -his neighbor in the crowd assembled before the -synagogue of the Nazarenes. "Seeing that this -is not the prescribed day for worship."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis that we may consider the matter of which -the Grecians have been murmuring of late," -replied the other. "Their widows, say they, are -neglected in the daily ministrations."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not more than the widows of our own blood; -the fault lieth with the young men to whom of late -the apostles have been forced to give a part of the -work. But see, the doors are opened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The twain, together with the rest of the quiet -and orderly multitude, passed into the porch, where -each person paused for an instant to dip his hands -into the brazen urn of water which stood without -the door; this constituting the ceremonial washing -of hands required before entering into the sacred -enclosure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scene within did not differ materially from -that which might have been seen in any other of -the four hundred and eighty synagogues of -Jerusalem. Against the wall opposite the entrance, -beneath a canopy of purple cloth, stood the wooden -chest or ark, containing the scrolls of the law. -Above this ark burned the perpetual light, token -of the visible glory of the Lord as it was revealed -in that first temple which their forefathers had -reared in the wilderness. This sacred light was a -three-fold symbol, for it also served to remind -the worshipper of the human soul, which is the -breath of God; as it is written, "The spirit of -man is the candle of the Lord." And of the -divine law--"For thy commandment is a lamp; -and thy law is light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here also facing the congregation was the desk -from which the ruler of the synagogue was wont -to preside over the worship; and at one side, -elevated upon a raised platform, twelve wooden seats -were provided for the twelve apostles--the visible -heads of the Church; it being the custom in all -synagogues to thus elevate above the common -rank those who were considered the most enlightened. -In these, as in all other respects, did the -disciples walk orderly as after the law; being yet -minded, despite the warning of the Master, to put -the strong new wine of the Kingdom into the -ancient bottles of Judaism.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this day, after that the congregation had -seated themselves in due order--the men upon one -side of the room, the women and children upon -the other, separated by a low wooden partition--the -service was begun by the chanting of the -sacrificial psalms; after which the whole -congregation arose and repeated as with one voice the -benediction called "The Creator of Light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the -universe, who createst light and formest darkness; -who makest peace and createst all things. He in -mercy causes the light to shine upon the earth and -the inhabitants thereof, and in goodness renews -every day the work of creation. Blessed art thou, -the Creator of Light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And also this--"the Great Love."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With great love hast thou loved us, O Lord our -God; thou hast shown us great and abundant -mercy, O our Father and King, for the sake of our -forefathers who trusted in thee! Thou who didst -teach them the love of life; have mercy upon us -and teach us also to praise thee, O Lord, who in -love hast chosen thy people!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then did Matthias--who on this day had been -chosen to lead the worship, and who like the rest -of the congregation wore the fringed garment -prescribed by law and the phylacteries upon his head -and upon his left arm--arise, and cry aloud in the -words of the ancient prayer which was called the -Kadish; all the people joining heartily in the Amens.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Exalted and hallowed be his great name in the -world which he created according to his will; let -his kingdom come in your lifetime, and in the -lifetime of the whole house of Israel very speedily!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blessed be his great name, world without end."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blessed and praised, celebrated and exalted, -extolled and adorned, magnified and worshipped, -be thy holy name; blessed be he far above all -benedictions, hymns, thanks, praises, and -consolations which have been uttered in this world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May the prayers and supplications of all Israel -be graciously received before their Father in -heaven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May perfect peace descend from heaven, and -life, upon us and all Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May he who makes peace in his heaven confer -peace upon us and all Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Amen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then followed the eighteen benedictions, of -which the first sentence only was repeated in a loud -voice by the leader, the rest being recited by the -congregation in unison. Save this prayer, which -all repeated aloud and with a joyous tone of full -expectation; for they knew him to whom they -prayed. "To Jerusalem thy city in mercy return, -and dwell in it according to thy promise; make it -speedily in our day an everlasting building, and -soon establish therein the throne of David. Blessed -art thou, O Lord, who buildest Jerusalem." And -so to the end, closing with the words, "Our Father, -bless us all unitedly with the light of thy -countenance; for in the light of thy countenance didst -thou give to us, O Lord our God, the law of life, -loving kindness, justice, blessing, compassion, life, -and peace. May it please thee to bless thy people -Israel at all times, and in every moment with peace. -Blessed art thou, O Lord, who blessest thy people -Israel with peace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then followed the reading from the scriptures. -Afterward Peter arose in his place and spoke to -the people; he brought again to their -remembrance the words of their risen Lord, 'how that -they should continue to dwell together in all peace -and love, forbearing one another and loving one -another in expectation of that great day, perhaps -nigh at hand, when he should return bringing his -reward with him for them that had been faithful in -all things.' He spoke also of the matter which had -been troubling the minds of many during the days -that were past.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God knoweth, brethren," he said, "that we -would not willingly neglect any, who by the grace -of our Lord have joined themselves with us; least -of all them who by reason of their affliction are -dependent upon our bounty. If any have been -neglected it is because of the weakness of the -flesh. The work hath waxed too great for us; for -besides this duty of the daily distribution of bodily -food to them that lack, there remaineth also the -duty whereunto we were set apart by the Master -himself--of preaching the good tidings of -salvation from sin and from death unto all men. 'It is -not reason that we should set aside the work of -God to serve tables'--and it is manifest that we -cannot longer do both--'wherefore, brethren, look -ye out among you seven men of honest report, full -of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may -appoint over this business. But we will give -ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of -the word.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when he had finished speaking, Philip arose -in his place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I read aright your faces, my brothers," he -said, looking around about upon the multitude, -"this good saying hath pleased you all. Let us -therefore choose, and that there may no longer be -any thought of jealousy betwixt Jew and Greek--which -thing also must be displeasing unto him, -who according to his word, is at this time in our -midst--let it come to pass that of the seven which -we shall choose, three shall be Hebrews, three -Greeks and one a proselyte. Then shall there be -no longer need nor excuse that any should -murmur concerning this matter of the dispensations."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And these sayings being approved of them -which were assembled, one Aristarchus arose and -presented the name of Stephen for the honorable -office of deacon. "For he is," declared the -speaker, "as is known unto you all, a man full of -faith and of the Spirit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And all the people cried with one voice: -"Worthy! He is worthy!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then did they in the same manner choose also -Philip and Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and -Parmenas; and also, according to the word of Philip, -Nicolas of Antioch, who was a convert to the -Jewish faith. And these seven stood up before the -apostles and before all the congregation of the -people; and when the apostles had prayed they laid -their hands upon them, in token that thus were -they set apart unto the sacred duties of their -calling.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-warning"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WARNING.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The bell which hung beside the porter's lodge -jangled sharply, and the porter, after first -peering out to see who stood before the door, -promptly opened. "My master is within," he -said, making his obeisance. "I pray thee enter, -reverend sir, thou wilt find my lord Annas upon -the terrace. He is expecting thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word the newcomer strode past and -disappeared within. The porter stared after his -retreating figure for a moment in silence, then he -shook his head slowly. "His look is dark and -threatening," he muttered, "it bodes no good for -them that believe, when at night and at morning -and also at midday those that hate us gather -themselves in secret conclave. There be mischiefs -brewing, I fear me; a dark cloud which will break -ere long and bring swift destruction upon the -church--unless the Lord send help, and that right -speedily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what hast thou found to grumble about -now, Simon?" said a cheery voice at his elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old man looked up sharply. "Ah, Iddo, -didst thou hear me? I am indeed falling into -indiscreet habits in my solitude when I prate aloud -of my fears. Had it been Aaron now, in thy stead--but -why do I say so? I am not ashamed to own -that I believe on the Nazarene."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art in good company, assuredly," said the -young man, "though an open avowal of thy faith -would doubtless cost thee thy snug quarters. The -lord of this house is not likely to be of them which -are daily being added to the church. Hast thou -heard that of the priests themselves we are -continually gaining in great numbers? 'Tis wonderful; -all Jerusalem will be with us in another year; as -for these worldly old hypocrites, let them be; they -will die in their sins and the world will be better -without them. Even the Master had no good -word for such. Whited sepulchres called he -them, and pronounced against them the woes -which they assuredly have merited. Nothing can -stand against us now, for the Lord is with us!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Simon shook his head. "Thou art young, -Iddo," he said querulously, "and hast much to -learn. There is a storm at hand and it will blow -no good to the church; I have said it, and thou -wilt see. Do I not stand at this gate and see them -that go in and out? I hear also many things--for -the Lord hath preserved my ears, and they that -enter mind me no more than yonder stone -bench--listen!" and the old man held up a shaking hand. -"Yesterday I admitted two--four--five of them -that be rich and mighty--I will not name them. -They remained within, three whole hours by the -shadow on yonder dial, then they came out -together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"''Tis a goodly thought of Annas to first put out -of the way the pestilential Greek,' quoth one, 'the -witnesses will not be hard to find.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I trow not,' said another with a laugh, 'words -are cheap both for the buying and selling; as for -the fellow Stephen, he doeth more mischief among -the common people in a week than the slow-witted -hinds whom they call apostles could accomplish in -a month.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stephen," cried Iddo, aghast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hist, boy! Now thou seest that though I am -old--and as thou hast said, given to over-much -foreboding--there is a deadly mischief on foot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Lord will smite them if they lay but a -finger on Stephen," exclaimed the young man -indignantly. "'Tis such as he that the Lord's flock -hath need of; daily doth he work great miracles of -healing, and his voice is heard in every synagogue -persuading men to believe on Jesus the Christ. -Men listen gladly; and to listen is to be convinced -of the truth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, boy! 'tis because of these very things that -they hate him; were he less than he is, they would -not lay a finger on him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But surely God will protect him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God spared not his own son," said the old man -solemnly. "He suffered him to be tortured and to -be slain at the hands of these very men; and the -servant is not greater than his Lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other was silent for a time; all the brightness -had faded out from his face. "Who is within -now?" he said, at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Saul of Tarsus," replied Simon, briefly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall warn them of the household of John of -this thou hast told me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly, but let it not be bruited abroad; -there is nothing to be gained by it, and perhaps -much to be lost. If the young man Stephen--" -but the clang of the bell interrupted him, and he -hastened to open. "Enter, my lord, I pray thee. -It is so, my lord Annas is within, and with him -the Rabbi Saul."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Iddo bowed with instinctive respect as the tall, -gaunt figure swept by him and disappeared adown -the passageway. "He is no longer High Priest," -he said, in a half whisper, "and it perchance hath -irked him to resign the office."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are other reasons for his haggard look," -said the old man sagely; "but it is not for such as -I to prate concerning the affairs of Caiaphas. The -Lord hath dealt with him, as he doth also deal with -all men; perchance that he may draw them to -himself at the last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay; dost thou think then that it is possible -for such as the murderers of our Lord to be forgiven?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis assuredly not for us to set limits upon the -compassion and love of the Father of our Lord -Jesus--who also prayed for them in his agony. If -he can save me, he is able to save any one; for I -know my own heart how that it is deceitful above -all things and desperately wicked."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a true word, my Simon," said the young -man, humbly. "No one knoweth it better than I, -who was ever prone to do evil as the sparks fly -upward.--I must away; if Stephen could but be -persuaded to leave Jerusalem----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Twas what I would have said," broke in Simon, -eagerly. "Let him go--and at once. There is no -need that he remain to fall into the net which -these are making ready for him. It may be that -it was by the good providence of God that I -chanced to hear what I did." Then as he opened -the door that the young man might pass out, he -whispered, "Let them all beware of the Pharisee -from Tarsus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis a word of wisdom," said Iddo to himself, -as he strode rapidly away. "Yet would he dare -molest us who walk orderly after the law? If now -we kept not the fasts, nor observed the solemn -feasts, nor prayed at the times of the morning and -evening sacrifice--but all of these things we -observe and do. Yet have I heard Stephen proclaim -in the synagogues that there was now no further -need for the priestly slaughter of flocks and herds, -because that Christ had given himself a sacrifice -for the sins--not only of the Jews--but for the sins -of the whole world. Even the apostles say not -such things, it must be that he is over-bold--being -a Greek. Some one should speak to him of the -matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Revolving these thoughts in his mind, the young -man came at length into the street where was the -house of John the apostle. It was narrow, and -still, and hot; the feet of the few passers-by--mostly -women passing to and from the public fountains -with their water-jars--making no noise in the -yellow dust. Iddo paused a moment with bent -head; he smiled, and his eyes sparkled with joy. -"She is singing," he said aloud. And he hurried -forward faster than before--almost stumbling -indeed in his haste over some small brown object, -which squatted silently in the hot sunshine before -the door which he sought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this?" he cried, looking down, and -discovering that the obstacle was none other than a -small brown child; that there were, in fact, three -of them, a boy and a girl--and betwixt the two a -baby, smaller and browner than either.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We be listening," said the girl solemnly, -shaking the dark curls out of her eyes and looking up -at her questioner. "The baby hath gone to sleep -because he likes it; we come every day. Wilt thou -sit down here? the dust is soft, and the music is like -angels singing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Iddo smiled. "Thou art right, little one," he -said; "'tis like the voice of an angel."</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"I lift up mine eyes to the hills.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Whence cometh my help?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>My help is from Jehovah,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Maker of heaven and earth,"</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>chanted the melodious voice within, then it dropped -to a pleading cadence,</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"May He not suffer thy foot to be moved!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>May He not slumber that keepeth thee!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Behold, the Keeper of Israel</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Shall neither slumber nor sleep.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Jehovah keep thee from all evil!</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>He will keep thy life.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Jehovah keep thy coming and going</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Henceforth and for ever!"</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The listener sighed involuntarily; then he -stretched forth his hand and laid it upon the -bell--paying no heed to the solemn little voice at his -feet, "If thou dost pull the rope the singing will -stop."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost immediately the door opened, and a -sweet voice cried, "Ah, 'tis thou, Iddo Ben Obed! -Enter, I pray thee," then observing the young -man's serious face, she added, "What hath befallen -thee, friend? thou art as solemn as that great -image in the desert which men call the sphinx."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have reason," answered Ben Obed, "as thou -must hear presently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must first speak to the little ones.--Enter, -friend, thou wilt find my brother within. Why -didst thou not knock, little one?" she continued, -stooping to raise the sleeping child, "the sun is too -hot for the babe; it breedeth mischief at this -season. Stay--I will give thee some pomegranates, -then must thou go home where it is cool. -To-night if thou wilt come and knock on the door -thou shalt enter, then I will sing to thee, and also -tell thee a story of how the babe Jesus came through -the wilderness to the land of Egypt." And having -kissed the smooth brown cheeks in token of -dismissal, she watched the two as they trudged away -down the street, the sleepy baby toddling between.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Obed was already seated upon the stone -bench in the cool shadow of the house, talking in -low tones to a young man of about his own age, -who with bent brows and serious air was paying -him diligent heed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can scarce believe that such talk is more than -idle threatening," he was saying. "Since the day -that Gamaliel gave counsel in the Sanhedrim that -we be left in peace, there hath been no active -persecution. They must see by this time that the -Lord is with us, therefore is the good counsel of -Gamaliel proven; surely there can be none -amongst them bold enough to fight against God. -And this said I to Simon--or words of like import. -I reminded him also that we are well looked upon -by all the people, and how--being in all points -disposed to keep the law--even the priests are daily -joining themselves to our numbers. But he hath -a different opinion; moreover, he bade me tell all -of this household to beware Saul of Tarsus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What danger is threatened?" asked Anat, anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Iddo Ben Obed raised his eyes to her face, and -there was that in their fiery gaze that brought the -warm color to the maiden's cheek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Danger is threatened to Stephen," he said -slowly, "though how great is that danger we -cannot tell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of Anat grew deathly pale. "Tell -me--" she said, breathlessly, "all that thou hast heard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Iddo dropped his eyes to the ground. "They -will imprison him if he continues to preach that -the Christ is mightier than the law," he said -coldly. "What more I know not. 'Twill be best -for him to leave Jerusalem."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat turned swiftly and went away into the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That evening she told the three children the -story which she had promised them; and sang to -them wild songs of the desert--vaguely -remembered from the days when she dwelt in Egypt; -and afterward the Psalm of the watchful Love, -which she had sung in the morning. Then she -gave the little ones into the hand of their mother, -and went softly up to the housetop. A lonely -figure stood by the parapet, looking away toward -the afterglow which burned in solemn splendor -behind the mountains. She hesitated for a -moment, then went lightly forward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou heard," she said softly, "the evil -tidings which the son of Obed brought to this -house to-day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have talked with John concerning it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what said he? Surely he urged thee to -flee the peril?" And the girl's voice thrilled with -passionate entreaty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man turned. "Anat--beloved," he -said softly, "I know all that thou wouldst say; -and there is much in my heart that I would fain -say to thee--only that the time is short. Already -for me the daylight fades and the night cometh -when I can no more work for the Master, while -for thee there yet remaineth many years wherein -to glorify his name; and this shalt thou do, and -in the doing find peace--the peace that passeth -understanding."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl had sunken to her knees beside him, -her slender frame shaken with a tempest of weeping; -but a great calm fell upon her soul as Stephen -rested his hands upon her bowed head--his voice -tremulous in that sweetest of all benedictions: -"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord -make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious -unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon -thee, and give thee peace."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-wrath-of-man"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WRATH OF MAN.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Thou hast the witnesses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have the witnesses, my lord; but there -was no small difficulty in persuading any man -to serve. A score refused outright, reviling me -moreover and threatening me with death should I -dare to molest the fellow. I placated them as best -I was able, saying that I but desired to assure -myself that the reports which I had heard against -so excellent a man were false. Yet do I fear that -these may fetch him word so that he will escape -out of our hands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He shall not escape. What witnesses hast thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One Esek--a money lender--who for the sum -of ten shekels of silver hath consented to witness; -and with him two of mine own underlings, who -will speak that which is put into their mouths with -all diligence, both on account of the reward which -I have promised if they shall acquit themselves -well, and because of the scourging which awaits -them should they fail. One of them is Iddo Ben -Obed--a young man of some promise, who hath -by my orders frequented their synagogue much of -late, and can therefore speak understandingly of -the thing. To him have I promised sure -advancement if he shall please the Council this day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art a faithful servant, Caleb, and shall -thyself not fail of thy reward," said Annas -approvingly. "Now see to it that the Council Chamber -be prepared with all speed; we must accomplish -the thing quickly, lest this favorable opportunity -pass by us. Hast thou the man under espionage, -that thou mayest lay hands upon him without delay?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is at this moment engaged in his duties of -almoner, my lord, distributing amongst the rabble -of Jerusalem that which is little better than -stolen from the Temple treasury, in that it is -withholden from us unlawfully. Afterward he -hath the intent to harangue the people according -to his custom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will find a different audience to-day," -interrupted Annas grimly, "and one that cannot be -led away by specious words. In what synagogue -wilt thou find him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To-day they purpose to assemble in Solomon's -Porch, that they may entrap the multitude. The -fellow Stephen will interpret the prophets, -wickedly alleging--as do they all--that holy men, such -as Moses, Isaiah, and all the prophets, foretold as -the Messiah the fruit of the accursed tree."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Little need to suborn witnesses when they -openly profane the holy places of the earth with -such blasphemies. But go now; keep the fellow -under thine own eye till I shall send thee word, -then fetch him with all speed, together with the -witnesses. Stay a moment--see that there is no -tumult made when he is arrested."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb smiled as he again bowed himself before -his superior. "I have devised a cunning plan -wherewith to entrap him without tumult," he replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All is going well," said Annas to himself when -he was left alone. "Our patient and apparently -fruitless toil is at last about to be rewarded. -Besides Caleb, who shall in no wise lose his reward, -we must not forget that we owe much to the -discretion and zeal of Malluch and Zared, who have -diligently spoken against this man and his words -to the people. The sum agreed upon was forty -pieces of silver for each of them--a goodly -sum for such as they, yet if to-day's descending -sun finds the man dead I will command that it -be made fifty. But here is our Pharisee from -Tarsus; I must deal wisely with him. I would -that he were a Sadducee, the doctrine of the -resurrection is a mischievous one, and one moreover -which these blasphemous Nazarenes preach -without ceasing. Greetings to thee, my son. This -will prove a glorious day with us, if it shall witness -a signal victory over unrighteousness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The newcomer received this friendly greeting -with chilling hauteur. "God knoweth that I long -to see the workers of iniquity put to confusion," -he said, throwing himself into a chair and fixing -his stern eyes upon his companion. "But lying -and deceit are hateful to my soul. Neither shall -anything prosper that is accomplished thereby."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of Annas hardened. "Thou speakest -in riddles, friend," he said coldly. "Whom dost -thou accuse of lying and deceit?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It hath come to my ears that certain ones have -been hired to speak evil of the man Stephen; that -these have stirred up the people against him so -that they are ready to lay hands upon him. It is -true that the man hath spoken freely and openly -in every synagogue, alleging that the carpenter of -Galilee was the Christ foretold by the Prophets, -and that he hath risen from the dead and is -become the first-fruits of them that sleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And hath he convinced the learned Saul of the -truth of these things?" said Annas with a -sarcastic smile. "Nay, that were a victory indeed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul laughed aloud, a harsh, unmirthful sound. -"I am of all men least likely to become a victim -of this monstrous delusion. The man should not -be suffered to speak further, for he hath the -cunning tongue of a great orator, and convinces the -people mightily. Neither I, nor any who have -disputed with him have been able to undo the -mischief that he hath wrought. But I like not that -we suborn liars to serve our cause."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We forbade these men to speak the name of -the Nazarene some three years ago, letting them -go with but a scourging, according to the counsel -of the most sapient Gamaliel, whose pupil thou -art. But how did they obey the commands of the -most holy Council, and how hath the advice of -Gamaliel profited our cause? Since that day they -have not ceased to bruit the hateful name of Jesus -of Nazareth about Jerusalem, till the very beggars -of our streets pray to him openly. If we have -employed discreet men to assist us in rooting out -this menacing evil, what is it but the part of -wisdom? Do not the Nazarenes also feed and -clothe the men who are daily spreading this poison -to the confusion of Israel? This man Stephen, -being a Greek, not only doth not himself observe -the law, but he is forever bringing to the mind of -the people the words and practices of the -Nazarene, who would be well forgotten by this -were it not for such pestilent fellows. He -diligently reminds the multitude how that the man -worked miracles on the Sabbath day, declaring -that God would have mercy and not sacrifice, and -how he openly prophesied the destruction of the -Holy Temple. The carpenter from Galilee, he -blasphemously alleges, was God made manifest in -the flesh; therefore his acts and words are greater -than the law of Moses, and rather to be observed -than any priestly commands. For such as this -fellow there is but one remedy, as it is written -also, 'The mouth of them that speak lies shall be -stopped.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul was silent for a moment. Before his -mental vision there arose the face of Stephen, as he -had seen him many times during the furious -controversies which had of late taken place in the -synagogues, glowing with high courage, hope and -confidence, and illumined withal by a mysterious -light at which he had more than once inwardly -marveled. Then his face hardened. "It is just -that this apostate be put to death," he said. "This -is no time for half-way measures; but let it be -done according to the law and without fear of the -people."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast said!" cried Annas. "This will we -do, for the time is ripe. Listen, this very day he -shall be brought before the Council; witnesses are -at hand that every word may be established according -to the law. As it is written, 'in the mouth -of two or three witnesses every word shall be -established.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who are the witnesses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Reputable men--most reputable men. One -Esek, a Jew, who dwells near to their synagogue, -and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do these testify freely?--without money, I -mean?" again interrupted Saul with an irritable -gesture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the custom, my son, to compensate -witnesses for the loss of time entailed upon them -in the pursuance of their duty," began Annas -smoothly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Saul broke in rudely. "I will have none of -it," he cried, springing to his feet and striding -stormily up and down the room. "Hired agitators -amongst the people; hired witnesses against a man -who, whatever his accursed beliefs, is at least -incapable of such meanness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas also arose, and with an air of awful -dignity fixed his piercing eyes upon the flushed face -of the young man. "Thou dost assuredly forget," -he said slowly, "the respect due him in whose -presence thou art standing. As the head of the -high-priestly family, which for many generations -has acceptably served Jehovah in that most holy -office, I am not lightly to be accused to my face of -that which my soul abhorreth, as also it is written: -'I hate and abhor lying, but thy law do I love.' Twice -hast thou cast this thing in my teeth, and in -so doing thou hast proven thyself unworthy of the -high confidence which I have given thee; unworthy -of the love which I have freely bestowed upon -thee; unworthy----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay, I beseech thee!" cried Saul, raising his -hand. He had grown deathly pale, and trembled -visibly. "It is true, I have forgotten myself. I -am well nigh mad because of the failure of all that -I had confidently hoped for. Day after day have I -gone forth to do battle for Israel, and day after -day have I been worsted. I am of all men most -unworthy, in that I have failed--miserably failed. -I will return to Tarsus, and thou shalt see my face -no more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my son," said Annas softly, "because -thou hast acknowledged thy fault, it is forgiven. -And dost think that I have not watched thee in -this thy struggle against iniquity; that my heart -has not bled for thee? Possess now thy soul in -patience, trust in the Lord--and in me--and it -shall assuredly come to pass. Thou shalt see the -confusion of thine enemies; for the honor of Israel -shall this day be vindicated right gloriously. As -for the thing that thou hast spoken of, it shall be -even as thou hast said. There is no lack of them -that can witness against this man. Ay! and that -will witness right gladly for the glory of Jehovah. -Surely there is no need for us to say, 'Who will -come up to the help of the Lord?--to the help of -the Lord against the mighty?' Israel shall arise -in her might, and shall gird herself against them -that would do her violence, that would plague her -with idolatrous and blasphemous practices. Too -long have we held our peace in the presence of -this devouring evil; the very stones of the Temple -will cry out if we longer submit to them that -profane its sanctity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As in the case of the Nazarene, it will be possible -to do nothing of ourselves," said Saul bitterly. -"And the Romans--they care for none of these things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah--there we have gained a signal victory -over our enemies," said Annas triumphantly. -"Herod is with us this time, though not openly. I -have taken good care that reports should reach his -ear from time to time how that these fellows -continually proclaim the return of the crucified one -to reign over Israel. He loves his paltry throne, -and actually fears that the thing may come to -pass. Not many days since he sent for me. -He was lying at full length among his purple cushions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Hast thou heard what these Galileans are -saying,' he said, scarcely tarrying for the -accustomed greetings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'They are saying many things that are unlawful,' -I answered him, 'but nothing more dangerous -to the peace and prosperity of the nation than -that the dead malefactor--whom they claim is -alive--will shortly return to rule over Israel.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Dost thou believe that the man is alive?' he -asked, fixing his eyes upon me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'If he be not alive,' I said, 'the sedition is none -the less to be feared, for these fellows are capable -of forcing the people to believe what they will. -Wilt thou not then take measures against them -who alone art in power?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I cannot,' he whined fretfully, 'I fear the -people--I fear the man--the--the dead man. I am -not well. Hast thou not a law which will stop -their prating?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'We have a law--yes,' I made him answer; -'but we cannot enforce it, since----'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'The law--the law,' he interrupted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'The law is this--He that blasphemeth the -name of the Lord shall surely be put to death, -and all the congregation shall certainly stone him. -The stranger, as well as he that is born in the -land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord -shall be put to death.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Carry out your law upon these men,' he cried, -throwing himself back upon the cushions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Not so,' I answered, 'lest we fall upon evil -times afterward. We be law-abiding in all points--civil -as well as religious--and it is not lawful for -us to put any man to death.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'There shall no harm come to thee,' he -cried, 'I swear it. There is now no governor in -Jerusalem. I am a Roman. I am the law.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Give me a warrant sealed with thy seal,' I -said. And he gave it straightway."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou this writing with thee?" said Saul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas drew a parchment from his bosom and -gave it into the outstretched hand of the young -man without a word.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Inasmuch," he read aloud, "as the peace of -Jerusalem and all Judæa is endangered by -malicious persons, who proclaim that a crucified -malefactor, to wit, one Jesus of Nazareth, is alive, and -will shortly overturn the present government that -he may himself rule; and as these persons -moreover blasphemously affirm that said malefactor is -the Jehovah-sent Messiah, I, Herod, do empower -the Senate of the people of Israel, called also the -Sanhedrim, to deal with such seditious persons -according to their judgment and after their laws, -which do fully provide for the scourging, imprisonment, -and putting to death of all persons whether -Hebrew or alien, who believe, affirm, and declare -mischievous doctrines of the like. Signed and -sealed, to the glory of Jehovah and the peace -of the nation, this fifth day of Nisan, in the -Asmonean Palace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God hath given them into our hand, my son," -said Annas solemnly. "We must deal with them -even as Elijah dealt with the prophets of Baal, -and 'let not one of them escape.'"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="until-the-day-break"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">UNTIL THE DAY BREAK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>In the morning of that same day, before it was -yet dawn, Stephen arose and went away out of -the city.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After the supreme renunciation of the night -before, he had experienced a strange, a wonderful -peace: the world had vanished from out his sight; -he felt that he had already entered upon the life -beyond. And while he yet marvelled and rejoiced -because of this, he slept. How many hours had -elapsed before he awoke he did not know; it was -dark in the house-place, and the darkness lay -heavily upon him like a pall. With the darkness -there had also fallen the icy shadow of his -approaching doom; before the shrouded face of this awful -impalpable presence peace and joy fled away in -affright. He strove to pray, but his tongue clave -to the roof of his mouth. Near by he could hear -the regular, peaceful breathing of John and Andrew; -somehow the sound added an intolerable poignancy -to his anguish. For the first time he realized to -the full the utter loneliness of the soul. "They -love me," he said within himself bitterly,--"but -they sleep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a time he arose, and wrapping his cloak -about him, stole out into the courtyard. The -fresh wind as it smote him brought with it a -sense of relief. The stars glittered keenly -overhead against the dark blue of the heavens; the -fragrance of a tall white lily abloom beside the -little cistern hung heavy upon the air. An -irresistible impulse to go -swiftly--somewhere--anywhere--came upon him. Undoing the -fastening of the outer door, he slipped out, feeling a -quick thrill of satisfaction in the fact that he had -accomplished this noiselessly. The cocks were -crowing as he started swiftly down the street, first -one, then another, then half a dozen at once, dying -away into silence only to break forth again as some -faint challenge from a distance rang out triumphantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As yet there was little token of day, but the -keeper was drowsily undoing the fastenings of the -city gate, in due anticipation of the market-men, -who would soon be coming from every quarter. -Stephen hesitated for an instant, then slipped -through the opening without being observed. -Before him lay the Roman road, hard and white, -stretching dimly away into the darkness. All the -young life in him leapt up at the sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have but to follow this road," he thought, -"it will bring me to safety. And why, after all, -should I remain? Wicked men have laid a snare -for me, and it hath been made known to me in -the mercy of God. It must needs be that I escape; -I am young, I can and will do good service to them -that believe for many years. What shall it profit -any man if I perish now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was walking the more swiftly as he communed -thus with himself, and hearing, or fancying -that he heard, a sound as of pursuit behind him, -he thrust his fingers into his ears and ran, the road -still dimly unrolling itself out of the darkness -before him like a dusky ribbon from the loom of -night. After he had gone thus for a long distance--his -breath being well-nigh spent and his laboring -heart knocking loudly for relief--he paused, and -withdrawing his fingers from his ears, listened. -There was no sound save the soughing of the wind -in the gnarled branches of the trees and the -shrilling of insects in the lush grass. He sank down -for a moment to rest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I go away now--as indeed those older and -wiser than myself have advised--I can remain till -the present danger be passed, afterward I can -return, and--there is Anat. The world is wide, there -is no need that we remain at Jerusalem. We two -will go away into far countries and among strange -peoples, that we may spread the Gospel among all -nations, even as the Master commanded. It is -right that this should be, else why do these -thoughts come to me. As for means for my -journey, I have here in my pouch the money with -which I was to buy provisions to-day, this would -the apostles gladly give me for my present needs--ay, -and more. Yes, I will go--I must go." And -he arose and girding himself resolutely, started -once more upon his journey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will go," he repeated to himself more than -once. "I must go." But after a time he ceased -to walk swiftly; at length he stopped altogether -and turned his face toward the East. Faint rosy -flushes--momently brightening--merged finally -into long tremulous beams of pure unearthly light, -which shot up as if in an ecstasy of triumph over -the conquered gloom. Stephen's heart expanded -at the sight. He sank upon his knees.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of -the universe,'" he murmured aloud. "'Who -createst light and formest darkness, who makest peace -and createst all things! He in mercy causes the -light to shine upon the earth and the inhabitants -thereof, and in goodness renews every day the -work of creation. Blessed art thou, the Creator -of Light!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Something in the familiar and well-loved words -spoken in that dewy solitude seemed to sweep -away the paralyzing and unworthy fear from out -his soul. He looked at the Roman road, showing -hard, white and dusty in the morning light, it no -longer appeared alluring. He thought again of his -resolve to use the money from the almoner's fund -to make good his escape, and the honest crimson -rose to his cheek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am no better than a thief," he cried aloud. -"I will go back; and if it needs be that I suffer, -God help me, for the flesh is weak."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he arose to his feet he saw with a shock of -surprise that he had paused near to the little rocky -knoll, called, from its strange resemblance to a -human skull, Golgotha. Upon the bald summit -of this place of death stood a cross, and upon the -cross hung the figure of a man--naked save for -his scanty rags which fluttered fitfully in the light -breeze, the clear light of the dawn revealing with -ghastly insistency his drawn features, and the -purple wounds in his hands and feet. At the foot -of the cross lay two Roman soldiers, evidently -detailed to watch the dying man; they were snoring -loudly, a half-emptied wine-skin upon the grass -between them revealing the manner in which they -had beguiled the night watches.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Stephen gazed at this horrible sight, the -figure on the cross writhed feebly, the blue lips -parted. "God! daylight again, and I live--live--" -were the words which gushed out from them in a -quavering shriek.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Sick with a fear that he could not control, -Stephen approached the cross, treading carefully -lest he should awaken the brutal sleepers at its -foot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Water!" cried the sufferer. "Yes, I see it--a -brown stream running over its pebbles--a lake -deep and cool. I will hide in it, my hands are -burning--no, no, they are dead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here is water," said Stephen in a trembling -voice, holding his flask to the lips of the dying -wretch--for he hung low, his feet almost touching -the ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the man could not drink; he opened his -glazing eyes, apparently not seeing the face of -angelic pity at his side, for he fell to babbling -disconnectedly of many things, mingling frightful -curses on his tormentors with prayers to the pagan -gods.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen sent up a swift prayer for help; he -could pray now. "Listen!" he cried, not heeding -the fact that a group of wayfarers had stopped and -were regarding him with open-mouthed amazement. -"Listen--thou mayest yet be saved. Jesus -of Nazareth can save thee! Master, hear--I -beseech thee--and save!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dim eyes were turned upon him now; there -was a gleam of understanding in them. "Art -thou--Jesus--of Nazareth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I am but his servant. Call upon him -quickly to forgive--to save."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jesus--forgive--save!" gasped the failing -voice, then all was still.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked once into the quiet face of the -man on the cross, then down at the soldiers, who -were beginning to stir a little. One of them sat -up and threw his arms above his head and yawned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By Bacchus!" he exclaimed. "I must have -slept,--a murrain on these night watches, the -fellow could not have gotten away." Then his -eye fell upon Stephen. "Who art thou?" he -cried, springing to his feet; "and what art thou -doing here? If now thou hast meddled with the -malefactor--ha! the fellow is gone. Didst thou -give him aught to help him to his death?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, friend," answered Stephen quietly. "I -but spoke to him of Jesus, the Redeemer; and if -God will, that word hath helped him to eternal -life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man to whom he had spoken made a motion -as if to seize him, but the other, who had also -awakened, held him back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let be," he said in a low voice; "he hath done -no harm; 'tis Stephen, the Nazarene."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The soldier dropped his arm. "Go," he commanded -briefly; "we had orders to allow no one -near the cross of this man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen bowed his head and passed on. He -walked swiftly--as he had done before the dawn--but -this time his face was steadfastly set towards -Jerusalem, and upon it shone the light of a peace -which the world had not given, and which from -henceforth it was powerless to take away. Verily, -when the day breaks, the shadows flee away.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-valley-of-the-shadow"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Do thou, Ben Obed, watch the man till such -time as I shall send thee word. Then--thou -art known unto him? A fortunate chance--say -this to him, 'There is one ailing at my house, who -desireth thy immediate presence.' He will at once -follow thee, and thou shalt fetch him without delay -into the Council Chamber."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose that he will not follow me?" said the -young man, fixing his black eyes upon the floor with -a somewhat sullen expression.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb looked at him keenly for a moment before -replying. "If thou art zealous to secure for -thyself the position whereof I have spoken, and the -sum of silver which shall also be the reward of thy -diligence, thou wilt not lack means to bring the -man away from the multitude without exciting any -tumult. It is not expedient for me to appear in -this matter, else would I undertake it. But thou -art not the only one, there is Malluch, or----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will fetch him," said Ben Obed looking up -hastily; "have I not said that I would do it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The reward is sure," pursued Caleb. "And thou -wilt have moreover the approval of thine own -conscience in the matter, in that thou art, in serving -thine own interests, also serving God--and doubt -not that thine obedience will be as a sweet savor -before him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will they do with the--with Stephen?" -asked the young man shifting uneasily about in his -place. "He is--that is--I think--" and he stopped -short, his eyes fixed eagerly on the face of his -superior.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb straightened himself, and his face -hardened. "I have not asked the question of them -above me in authority. To receive an order and to -obey it without question, comment, or opinion hath -ever been my way. It should also be thy way if -thou hast a desire to advance thyself in life. As -also it is written, 'Seest thou a man diligent in his -business, he shall stand before kings.' This have -I done; not once, but many times," and the -speaker drew himself up to his full height, and -passed his beard through his hand with the same -impressive gesture that he had observed many -times--and admired--in the lordly Annas. "Go -now, young man," he continued, "and acquit -thyself well, as becometh the son of a wise and -diligent man. So shall thy mother rejoice in the day -of thy birth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will imprison him," muttered Iddo Ben -Obed to himself as he turned away. "He hath -assuredly spoken contrary to the law; and why -should I not witness to the truth? A man must -faithfully perform the duties whereunto he is -called without partiality. This Stephen is a Greek--at -least by his father--and is it lawful to set the -son of a malefactor in a place of authority? I say -not. If he were once out of the way I could win -the maid Anat. I know that I could. I can give -her a home and abundance of all that she hath -need of. I will do this thing. He hath brought it -upon himself, for I have thrice warned him to leave -Jerusalem. He will not leave, and why?--he -thinks forsooth that I am blind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And having come to the place where the daily -distributions were wont to be made, he mingled -with the multitude and waited for the appearance -of the seven, as the deacons were now commonly -called. They appeared at last, laden with the day's -alms, and began to make distribution among the -waiting poor. Iddo noticed that Stephen's face -was very pale, and that blue shadows lay beneath -his dark eyes. He smiled evilly. "He is afraid," -he sneered. And being now determined upon the -course which he meant to follow, he allowed his -jealous hatred of the man to spring up unchecked, -and because hatred is a plant of quick and easy -growth, especially when nourished by envy, it came -to pass that within the half hour Ben Obed had -seen every trace of love, justice and pity in his -soul quite destroyed. "I hate him," he whispered -to himself, clenching his fists. "I care not what -they do with him. I hate him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The distribution took an unusually long time -that morning, and Iddo noticed with a scowl how -that all the poor widows and little children lingered -for a word with the youngest of the seven--Stephen, -the well-loved of the poor, as he was often called.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hypocrite!" said Iddo beneath his breath. -As he uttered the word he was startled to feel a -light touch on his shoulder; turning quickly, his -eye fell upon the messenger appointed by Caleb.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis the time," said the man with a wink. -"Bring him outside now; I will be at hand should -you need help."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Obed nodded. He could not trust himself -to speak, the hatred had grown so mighty that it -struggled to cry out. He approached Stephen -cautiously, and laid his hand upon his arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is one--who is ailing--at my house," he -said with difficulty. "Wilt thou come with me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked up with a smile. "Peace be -with thee, Ben Obed, and to all that are within -thy house; yes, I will come with thee, but let me -first speak with this woman, who hath patiently -waited for me since the beginning of the distribution. -What is it that thou wouldst ask of me, woman?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have brought hither my babe," answered the -woman in a low, anxious voice. "He doth not -wake and smile on me as formerly, but only sleeps. -Surely it is not well with him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If he sleep he shall do well," said Stephen, -unconsciously quoting the words of his Master -when told of the sickness of Lazarus. "And if -God will that he wake in heaven, then wouldst -thou have a child growing to manhood among the -angels. Dost thou not covet this for thy child?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, for I love him too much to wish him out -of my arms," said the mother, dashing the bright -drops from her eyes; "and I have not seen heaven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My business with thee is urgent," whispered -Ben Obed imperatively. Stephen did not seem to -have heard. He laid his hand on the child's head, -"Thy will concerning this little one be done, O -Father, in the name of Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But thou hast not asked for his healing!" cried -the mother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have asked for the best that heaven holds for -him, or for any one of us," said Stephen gently. -"But see, thy child hath awakened," then he -turned to Ben Obed. "I will go with thee," he -said simply, but there was that in his eyes that -caused Iddo to drop his own to the earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once on the street Stephen walked swiftly, so -swiftly that Ben Obed had some difficulty in -keeping up with him. He exchanged glances -with the messenger of Caleb who was following -at a discreet distance, and the man rapidly -overtook them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will go this way," said Ben Obed in a hard -voice. But Stephen was silent. Something in -his still face angered the young man at his side -beyond control. "Why dost thou not speak?" he -cried in a choked voice, scarce knowing what he -said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are times when silence is more excellent -than speech," said Stephen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Obed cursed the temple under his breath, -then he grasped his companion by the arm. "At -least I am not a hypocrite," he said violently. "I -have been commanded to fetch thee before the -Council of the Sanhedrim that thou mayest answer -for thy heresies. And I am going to do my duty. -Lay not the consequences of thine own despicable -folly at my door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had not expected this at thy hands," said -Stephen with a look of full understanding. "I -had rather that it had been another--but it -matters not." There was a slight tremor in his voice -as he spoke the last words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Obed laughed aloud. "Thou wouldst -rather that it were another, for then mightest -thou hope to escape; but it is not another, it is I, -Ben Obed, and because thou hast cheated me out -of the woman I love, I--hate thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen was silent. The twain, followed by -the ill-omened messenger, presently came to the -temple enclosure. Without a word Ben Obed -hurried his companion through the crowded courts, -neither heeding the curious looks with which they -were regarded, till at length they stood before -the closed door of the great Chamber of Council, -called also the "Hall of Squares."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb with a detachment of temple police -stood on guard. He was looking anxious and -worn, but his eye brightened as it fell upon -Stephen. Motioning to the guard to close in around -the prisoner, he himself listened at the closed -door; presently he laid a cautious hand upon the -fastening and with an air of deep solemnity -introduced his head into the sacred apartment. -Apparently receiving some signal from within, he -immediately withdrew it. "Pass in," he said -briskly, laying a compelling hand upon Stephen's -shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an awful stillness in the great room -as the two entered, followed by the lesser officers, -who ranged themselves on either side of the -accused man. Then a murmur ran about the circle. -At the sound Stephen raised his eyes and looked -calmly about him. These were the men who had -slain his Lord; they would also slay him--he knew -it--and yet the knowledge brought with it only -a singular joy. "They hate me, because I am -like him," he said within himself, and the glory of -that thought became visible upon his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jonathan, the High Priest, was speaking now; -with an effort the prisoner compelled himself to -listen. "Thou art arraigned before this sacred -assembly and Senate of Israel on the charge of -blasphemously speaking against Jehovah; against -this most Holy Temple; and against the laws -and institutions of Moses and of the Prophets, -ordained by Jehovah to speak his pleasure to the -children of men. We shall hear these charges -confirmed by witnesses, according to our laws -which thou hast despised, but which thou shalt -tread under foot no longer with impunity. Fetch -the first witness.--Dost thou, Ezek, recognize in -this man that Stephen who hath blasphemed God, -the temple, and the law?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do, most worshipful and High Priest of -Jehovah. This is the man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell us now what thou hast heard him say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have heard him say that the malefactor, Jesus -of Nazareth, who of late died the accursed death, -after having been duly and righteously convicted -of his crimes before this most sacred Council--I -have heard him declare, that this man was Jehovah -made manifest in the flesh. And that therefore -his precepts and commands are more binding than -the precepts of Moses, who was a sinful man like -unto ourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou heard him say aught concerning the -temple?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have heard him say that the Nazarene shall -shortly return to destroy this place, so that not one -stone shall remain upon another, and that all things -which Moses commanded shall be done away. The -Gentiles moreover and them that are alien shall -see these things and rejoice, for that this Jesus -shall hereafter come in the clouds of heaven and -gather his elect from the uttermost parts of the -earth. The Nazarenes have the intent moreover -to possess the earth, and to overthrow all powers -and governments and all gods that have ever ruled -among men, to the end that they may establish the -man Jesus upon the throne of power."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didst thou hear the man declare these things?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did, most sacred High Priest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enough!--Iddo Ben Obed, thou mayest stand -forth. Dost thou know this man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do, my lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen looked up at the sound of this voice, and -a keen spasm of pain swept across his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look at him!" whispered Issachar to his -neighbor. "He evidently fears this witness more -than the other--though his testimony was -sufficiently damning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And what hast thou to say concerning him?" -continued the monotonous voice of the High -Priest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath spoken blasphemously against Moses -and against this holy place, even as hath already -been said in your hearing, declaring that God -regardeth neither this temple nor the holy city of -Jerusalem, inasmuch as the Lord Jesus did in his -lifetime pronounce against them anathema; he -also----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold! How is it that thou dost call the -Nazarene Lord? Art thou also one of them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The witness turned pale. He cast a murderous -look at Stephen. "No," he said fiercely. "I but -repeat the word which these men make use of in -their blasphemous harangues to the people; the -words slipped from me unawares."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Proceed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hath declared that neither by laws of man's -devising nor by temples of man's building can -Jehovah be pleased. That all these things shall -be brought to naught; but that the words of the -Nazarene shall remain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Enough! There is no need for further testimony. -Let the accused stand forth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen obeyed. And all that sat in the Council, -looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it -had been the face of an angel.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-lifted-veil"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXVIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE LIFTED VEIL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Then said the High Priest, after the manner of -the formal procedure, "Are these things so?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Stephen, looking about on the seventy men -before whom he stood, the heads and leaders of -that forlorn remnant of the chosen people, -desolate because of their rebellion against the God who -had borne with them so long and patiently, was -moved to bring again the wonderful promises of -Jehovah to their minds. So plain did it all appear -to him, filled as he was with that spirit of light -which the Lord had vouchsafed according to his -word, and which he had also promised to pour out -freely upon all men. A glorious hope was stirring -in his breast as he looked from one to the other of -the stern faces before him. Hatred indeed and -stubborn self-satisfaction he saw written thereon, -but what could stand before the all-powerful spirit -of truth? What if it should be granted him to -mightily convince these men; to see, perchance, -some such glorious exhibition of God's grace as had -been manifested at Pentecost.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Men, brethren and fathers, hearken!" he began, -and at the sound of that inspired voice every eye -was fastened upon him. "The God of glory -appeared unto our father Abraham and said unto -him: 'Get thee out of thy land and from thy -kindred, and come into the land which I shall show -thee.' Then came he out of the land of the -Chaldæans and dwelt in Haran; and from thence, when -his father was dead, God removed him into this -land, wherein ye now dwell. He gave him no -inheritance in it, not even so much as to set his foot -upon; but he promised that he would give it to -him and to the generations after him, when as yet -he had no child.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And God spake thus unto him, 'Thy children -shall sojourn in a strange land, and they shall be -enslaved and evil entreated for the space of four -hundred years. But the nation which hath -persecuted them I will judge; I, Jehovah, have declared -it. And after that shall thy children come forth -out of bondage and they shall serve me in this -place.' And he gave him the covenant of -circumcision. And so Abraham after that Isaac was born, -circumcised him on the eighth day. And to Isaac -in due time was born Jacob; Jacob also had twelve -sons, whom we call the patriarchs. And the -patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph their -brother, sold him into Egypt. Nevertheless God -was with him, and delivered him out of all his -afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before -Pharaoh, King of Egypt, insomuch that Pharaoh -made him governor over all the land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now there came a mighty famine, which -extended throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and the -people were wasted by it. Our fathers also had no -food, but Jacob, hearing that there was corn in -Egypt, sent forth his sons to fetch some. And -when that was consumed which they brought, they -went again the second time; and Joseph made -himself known unto his brethren, and he brought them -into the presence of Pharaoh. After that, Joseph -sent for Jacob his father, and for all his kindred, -numbering in all three score and fifteen souls. -They went therefore into the land of Egypt, and -Jacob died there, and in due time the patriarchs, -our fathers, also; and they were buried in Shechem, -in the land which Abraham had bought for a burial -place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But as the time of the promise drew nigh, -which God had given unto Abraham, the people -grew and multiplied, till there arose another king -over Egypt which knew not Joseph.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The new king dealt deceitfully with our nation, -wickedly compelling our fathers that they should -cast out their babes to die. At this time Moses -was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. -Three months was he nourished in his father's -house, and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's -daughter rescued him and brought him up as her own -son. So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom -of the Egyptians, and he became mighty in word -and deed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now when he was well nigh forty years of age, -it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the -children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer -wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was -oppressed, smiting the Egyptian that he -died--supposing that his brethren would understand how -that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; -but they understood not. And the day following -he came again upon two of them at strife, and -urged them to be at peace, saying:--</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one -another?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him -away, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge -over us? Wouldst thou kill me, as thou didst kill -the Egyptian yesterday?'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And Moses fled at this saying, and became an -exile in the land of Midian. Here he took to -himself a wife, and two sons were born to him. And -when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to -him as he wandered one day in the wilderness of -Sinai; and the angel was as a burning flame of -fire in a bush of the mountain--the bush burned, -yet was not consumed. When Moses saw it, he -wondered at the sight; and as he drew near to -behold, there came a voice of the Lord, saying:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I am the God of thy fathers, the God of -Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then Moses trembled, and hid his face, and -the Lord said unto him:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Loose the shoes from thy feet, for the place -whereon thou standest is holy ground. I have -surely seen the affliction of my people which are -in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am -come down to deliver them. Now come, I will -send thee into Egypt.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So it came to pass that this very Moses, whom -the people of Israel had refused, saying, 'Who -made thee a ruler and a judge?' God sent to be -both a ruler and a deliverer, by the hand of the angel -which appeared to him in the bush. And this -man, Moses, led the Israelites forth, working great -signs and wonders in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, -and in the wilderness, for the space of forty years.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is that Moses which said unto the children -of Israel, 'A prophet shall God raise up unto you -from among your brethren like unto me.' This is -that Moses that was with the people in the -wilderness, with the angel which spake to him in the -Mount of Sinai, who also received the law at the -hands of the living God to give unto us. But our -fathers refused him their obedience, and thrust -him away from them, turning back in their hearts -unto Egypt and saying unto Aaron:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Make us gods which shall go before us, for as -for this Moses, which led us forth out of the land -of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.' Then -made they for themselves a golden calf, and -brought a sacrifice unto the idol, rejoicing in the -works of their hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But God turned, and gave them up to serve the -host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the -prophets:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices -forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? -And afterward ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, -and the star of the god Rephan, the figures which -ye made to worship them. I will carry you away -beyond Babylon.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony -in the wilderness, according to the covenant of -God unto Moses, who fashioned it like unto the -figure that was revealed unto him. This -tabernacle also our fathers brought into the promised -land, when they entered it with Joshua, God -thrusting out the heathen nations from before their -faces, and in it they worshipped unto the days of -David, who, finding favor in the sight of God, -asked that he might build a habitation for the God -of Jacob. And Solomon, his son, built a temple. -Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses -made with hands; as saith the prophet--</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"'The heaven is my throne,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And the earth the footstool of my feet;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Or what is the place of my rest?</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Did not my hands make all things?'"</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Here the speaker paused and looked about upon -the faces of his audience; some were sneering -outright, others whispering to their neighbors, while -others still regarded him with looks of malignant -hatred. Not one of all the seventy had -apprehended his meaning, he thought bitterly. Not one -cared for his words. Of what use to continue the -sublime retrospect. A wave of fiery indignation -swept away the last remnant of fear, and in a voice -ringing with inspired passion, he burst out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and -ears! Ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as -your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets -did not your fathers persecute? And they killed -them which showed before of the coming of the -Righteous One, of whom ye have now become the -betrayers and murderers. Ye who received the law -as it was ordained by angels and kept it not!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For an instant there was a breathless silence, -that mighty arrow tipped with a living fire had -found lodgment in every heart. Then a low, -murderous hiss ran about the circle. With one -accord the assembly rose to their feet, but some -invisible power held them back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stephen, the despised follower of the crucified -Nazarene, was looking up steadfastly. Angels had -lifted for him the dark veil of mortality; the hall -of judgment and the faces of his infuriated judges -faded from before his eyes; he saw instead the -unspeakable glories of the New Jerusalem, God -enthroned amid innumerable companies of angels, -and Jesus standing with outstretched hands to -receive him. In an ecstasy of joy he cried out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son -of Man standing on the right hand of God!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only a glimpse, but what mattered it now to him -that the dark flood of hatred had broken loose and -was sweeping him away with wild tumult towards -certain death. He did not see the infuriated mob -of his executioners; he scarce realized that he was -being dragged through the streets followed by a -yelling multitude, roused from their apathy by the -familiar scent of blood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Beyond the gates--it is the law!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the place--here are stones in abundance! -Quick! or the Nazarenes will be to the rescue."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let the witnesses cast the first stones--it is the law!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well thrown, Esek! Again--here is a larger -one! Now the other, quickly!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the other witness, with face as white as that -of the dying man, had broken through the circle -and fled away shrieking towards the city--"My -God! my God! they are killing him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let be, the law is fulfilled. Quick, or he will -yet be rescued--the mob is increasing. What is -that he is saying?" For the victim, blood-stained, -faltering, had dragged himself to his knees.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A shower of stones and fierce yells; he is sinking, -but again he speaks. Saul can hear it, for he -stands near, guarding the garments of them that -are fulfilling the law. They can all hear, for he -cries in a loud voice, that his murderers may -remember it afterward for the comfort of their -guilty souls:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And -when he had said this, he fell asleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-watchful-love"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXIX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE WATCHFUL LOVE.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Anat was spinning in the cool shadow of -the house; the stones of the little court -had been newly washed, and a refreshing odor -of cleanliness mingled with the fragrance which -poured out from the snowy bells of the lilies -beside the cistern. Close to her feet snuggled the -three small brown children, listening while she -sang. After a time the singer faltered a little; -she was chanting the Psalm of the Watchful Love:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Jehovah is thy keeper,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Jehovah thy abode on thy right hand;</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>The sun shall not hurt thee by day,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Neither the moon by night."</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>She paused. What was that deep, dull roar? -Her face paled a little.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sing!" cried the boy imperatively, pulling at -her robe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sing!" echoed the baby, looking up at her -with his soft, starry eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the little maiden, she contented herself -with softly stroking the girl's sandaled foot.</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Jehovah keep thee from all evil."</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Yes, she could surely hear a sound of tumult--what -could it be?</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"He will keep thy life,</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>--"O my God! Keep him--keep him!--</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Jehovah keep thy coming and thy going</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Henceforth and forever!"</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The singer started to her feet with a cry. The -street door had burst open violently, a man rushed -in, ghastly, breathless, with wild staring eyes; she -at first failed to recognize Ben Obed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God! they are killing him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Outside the Damascus Gate--they are stoning him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anat stood for an instant like some beautiful -soulless statue of despair. Then a wild fire -leapt to her eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell them!" she said, and fled away out of the -open door, away--away toward the Damascus Gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Women stared after her, men stretched forth -their hands to grasp her, but she heeded them not; -her feet seemed leaden, the minutes hours. The -Damascus Gate--would she ever reach it? Again -and again Ben Obed's awful cry sounded in her ears:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My God! they are killing him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gate--the gate at last; but it is choked with -people coming in. Men, she dimly saw, men with -long robes and broad phylacteries; men to whom -the gate-keepers did reverence while they shrank -back with involuntary fear. Men who drew away -from her white robe and whiter face muttering, -"A mad woman--a mad dog!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last she has struggled through them, outside -the Damascus Gate at last. Where--where? Yes, -yonder is a crowd, it must be there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me through, for God's sake! Let me -through!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Staring stupidly at her, the crowd separated. -There upon the ground, half-hidden under a pile of -stones, lay--something. She threw herself upon -her knees, pulling madly at the rough, broken -rock with her delicate fingers. Then she gave a -long, heart-broken scream and fell forward in -merciful unconsciousness.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"My daughter." There was no answer, though -the black eyes were wide open. Mary hesitated -an instant, her sad lips moved in prayer. "Anat, -my child," she said, softly. "Wilt thou not look -once more upon his face before they bear him -hence. I would that thou see for thy comfort that -God hath set upon him the visible seal of his love, -in that the peace that passeth understanding is -writ thereon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl rose feebly. "Take me to him," she -said, putting out her hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Mary led her into the peaceful chamber -where they had laid him. The afternoon sun shot -long rays of splendor across the face on the pillow, -beautiful with the beauty of youth and of holiness, -and touched with the sublimer beauty of death. -The look that he had worn when he cried out at -sight of Jesus waiting to receive him yet lingered -there, his face was as the face of an angel who slept.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For so he giveth his beloved sleep," murmured -Mary, who stood at her side. At that word the -maiden turned and the pent-up fountain of her -tears broke forth. And the two wept together--but -not as those without hope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so as the sad hours crept by, devout men -carried forth the dead Stephen to his burial, -making great lamentation over him. And the poor to -whom he had daily ministered, and them that he -had healed and comforted from all the city and the -country round about followed him to the tomb; -and the streets of the city were filled with the -sound of the wailing and loud crying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the men which had done this thing, they -hid themselves; and some of them exulted because -that an enemy was dead, and some were ashamed, -while others still--amongst them Saul of -Tarsus--listened to the sound of the wailing, and shook -their fists.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the beginning of lamentations for such as -blaspheme the law," said these. "To-morrow they -will forget this dead man in the multitude of their -own distresses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the house of John, the family sat that evening -on the house-top as was their wont, and they -talked together of him that had gone; and while -they mourned indeed they also rejoiced, for they -knew that he had fought a good fight, and that -while the earth-clouds hung dark and threatening -above their heads, this beloved one had passed -through and beyond and was safe forever more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>John remembered the words of Jesus how on -that last night he had said to them, "Let not -your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe -also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; -if it were not so, I would have told you. I -go to prepare a place for you, and I will come -again, and receive you unto myself; that where I -am, there ye may be also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he yet spake, another came suddenly into -their midst, a ghastly, despairing figure, his -garments hanging in rags about him, his face torn and -bleeding. And as they looked in amazement and -affright, the man spoke and his voice was hoarse -and weak, as of one who had wept many hours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am a dying man," he said, "for I will expiate -my guilt before to-morrow's sun rise upon the -earth. But first I must confess before you what I -have done, then if thou wilt slay me for it I shall -rejoice, in that I shall be spared the further guilt -of taking my own wretched life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ben Obed!" cried Anat, with a sudden -premonition of what he was about to confess.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Ben Obed, apostate--false witness--false -friend--murderer." And he poured out in rapid -disjointed sentences the story of his part in that -awful day's work. There was silence when he had -finished, and the wretched man turned blindly as -if to go away, but John laid a detaining hand upon -his arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay," he said, and there was the boundless -love and forgiveness of Jesus in his voice. "Thou -hast indeed sinned, and grievously, but he forgave -thee at the last, even as did Christ when he prayed -for them that slew him. And thinkest thou not -that he would bid thee live--live to carry on the -task which he has left unfinished?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am unworthy," groaned Ben Obed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which of us is worthy?" said Peter. "Behold, -I denied the Lord himself with curses, yet he -bade me care for the church, saying unto me, -'Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have -you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have -prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when -thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.' I -wot that this word was not for me only, but for all -them that have been tempted beyond that they -can bear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Ben Obed heard this, he fell on his -knees weeping, and they all prayed with him that -he might yet be restored and his sins forgiven. -When presently he rose up, his face was full of -hope. "Behold," he cried, "the Lord hath -forgiven me, for the burden hath been eased from off -my soul. Yet must I go away from this place -whither the spirit shall lead me." Then he turned -to Anat. "Canst thou also forgive?" he asked, -and his voice trembled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The maiden was silent, but only for a moment. -She rose in her place, and stretched out her hand -toward the young man. "I forgive thee," she said -slowly, "as I know he would have me forgive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Obed kissed the extended hand humbly, -then he went away whither the Spirit led him, -and no one of them saw his face more while they -lived. But in after years John heard of one who -preached Christ among the slaves of Alexandria, -suffering many things for Christ's sake, and at the -last dying beneath the scourge. The name of this -man was Ben Obed, so said the pilgrim who told -the thing.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-flask-of-crystal"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXX.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A FLASK OF CRYSTAL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"The beasts are gone, and there is an end of -it; but I care not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wouldst have told a different tale not -many years since." And the speaker laughed. -"Poof! I am cold," he continued, stooping to stir -the fire. "We might as well have gone back -before the sun set; there is no fuel here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other man shrugged his shoulders indifferently, -and spread his lean fingers over the scanty -fire. But he said nothing; after a time his -companion spoke again in a slow, meditative way, as if -to himself:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My lord will say this: 'A poorer than I hath -need of the beasts, therefore he hath taken them. -Would that he had asked me, and I would have -given him freely; nevertheless if he hath need, it -is in itself sufficient to excuse the deed.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Verily," broke in the other with a sneer, "and -because of this senile madness the tribe waxes -poorer day by day. Abu Ben Hesed is a fool! I, -Ben Kish, say so. What inheritance will my sons -have that is worth the having if these things -continue?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Senile madness, dost thou call it? And what -says Ben Abu, who succeeds as chief when the -old man shall be gathered to his fathers?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have no dealings with him," answered Ben -Kish sullenly. "He harps continually on the same -string. 'Do this because the Nazarene commanded -it. Forbear the other because the Nazarene -declared that it was wrong.' What do I care for this -dead Nazarene or his sayings? Moreover I do not -believe the tales that they tell of him, nor do any -believe in Judæa, save them that be poor and have -nothing to lose thereby. I asked concerning the -thing when I went up to Jerusalem of a great -Rabbi, whom I saw in the temple. I had paid my -vows and offered my sacrifice according to the law, -and I heard the man speaking to the people -concerning this new doctrine of the Nazarene. -'Blasphemous,' he called it; 'a cunning device of Satan -to entrap the foolish of heart, and above all, -contrary to the law of Moses.' Moreover, them that -practise these unlawful sayings in Jerusalem are -shortly to be dealt with."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Said he so indeed?" exclaimed the other man, -who was called Simeon. "Then is it something -more than senile madness that doth ail our -worshipful lord; the devil himself hath a hand in it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen," said Ben Kish, leaning toward his -companion, "I am minded to tell thee what he -further said to me in private. Swear to me that -thou wilt not reveal it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the temple!" cried Simeon readily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish looked behind him and on either side -as if he feared that some one might be lurking -near. The glimmering wastes of desert showed -vast and empty, stretching away beneath the keen -sparkle of countless stars; the night wind -wandering in the hollow darkness cried aloud for -loneliness; the crouching camels stared at the meagre -fire and chewed their cuds in drowsy contentment. -"I have a feeling that some one is near--and -listening," he said, shivering a little, and -throwing a fresh handful of fuel on the dying fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other man laughed, but he also shivered. -"There is always that feeling in the desert at -night," he said. "It must be the stars, that look -down like large eyes out of heaven; or the wind, -that hath in it the sound of a woman wailing for her -dead. But what hast thou to say to me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast sworn?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have sworn--and by the temple; what more -wouldst thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I spoke with him concerning our chief," said -Ben Kish, "of how he came up to Jerusalem and -fell in with them that told him of the Nazarene, -and how that since that time he doth continually -exhort and preach to us concerning the man, -calling him the Messiah, the Holy and Righteous One -foretold by the prophets and by Moses.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Alas,' said the Rabbi, 'he hath been snared -by evil counsels, and he will also lead away after -him all that hear.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'He hath not so led me,' I said, 'for I believe -not on a man who commands that if an enemy -smite thee on one cheek, thou immediately turn -to him the other that he may smite again; and -if a thief take away thy camel let him have thy -horse also; it is unjust!'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'It is not only unjust; it is unlawful,' said this -wise Rabbi. 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a -tooth is the law--a good law and wise.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yet must we submit to the chief of our tribe," -said the man who listened, "that is also the law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, friend," cried Ben Kish triumphantly, -"listen still further. I said something of the like -to the wise Rabbi, and he made me answer thus: -'The unbeliever and the blasphemer shall be cast -forth and his inheritance shall be given to them -which are faithful, for thus is it written in the law. -If, therefore, there be them amongst you which -are able, rise up and overcome this man who hath -spoken thus blasphemously, and cast him forth that -the inheritance be thine; so may the Lord ever -prevail against false prophets and workers of iniquity.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Holy Jerusalem!" exclaimed Simeon under his -breath. "Smite Ben Hesed? Cast Ben Hesed -forth from his own tribe? The man wot not of -whom he was speaking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One must use discretion with such an one," -admitted Ben Kish. "I have already spoken of -the matter with the father of my wife. He is a -wise man, as thou knowest, and he hath moreover -a bitterness against Ben Hesed because that he -spake severely to him of his dealings with the two -Egyptian brats, whom we found half dead in the -desert some years ago. The man was ready to -believe the word of strangers rather than the -word of his sister's son, which was unjust; Pagiel -moreover hath not forgotten the matter--nor will -he forget."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If Ben Hesed be cast forth, who would then be -chief?" said Simeon, drawing his beard thoughtfully -through his hand and looking intently into -the coals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish studied the face opposite him in silence -for a moment before replying. "Who else should -it be but Pagiel, the next of kin?" he said at length.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And after him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After him, the husband of his daughter, since -his sons are both dead." And Ben Kish drew -himself up proudly and looked about him as if he were -already chief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou aught to say against it?" demanded -the son of Kish sharply, half involuntarily laying -his hand upon the knife in his girdle. "Dost thou -then prefer a chief who sends for his enemy when -he hath been despoiled of him, and reasons with -him forsooth, and gives him a present and soft -words, instead of rising up and smiting him, as -is the fashion of men since the world began? ay, -and will be, despite the driveling commands of any -number of false prophets. Betray me if thou wilt. -Go to Ben Hesed and say: 'The son of Kish hath -devised evil against thee in his heart, therefore -smite him.' Would he smite me, the doting -greybeard? Pah, I spit in his face!" And he leaned -forward and spat venomously into the fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other man laughed silently at sight of his -rage. "I will not go to Ben Hesed with this tale," -he said at length; "have I not sworn--and by the -temple? Say on, friend, how wilt thou bring this -thing to pass?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish looked at him suspiciously. "I will -say no more," he said sullenly. "If thou wilt side -with the follower of the Nazarene, who is become -a fit prey for the vultures because of his blasphemous -folly, well. But I tell thee that strange things -will come to pass. Thou wilt see it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have not said that I believe in the Nazarene," -said his companion. "The old law is good; as for -Ben Hesed, I----" he stopped short and stared -fixedly at a certain red coal which winked sleepily -at him from the midst of the fire, and from which -he seemed presently to have gotten some further -inward light, for he went on more briskly. "I -also have an account to square with Ben Hesed, -therefore thou mayest speak freely with me; I -promise thee that I will help on the lawful issue in -this matter, and that right diligently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou swear this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By the soul of my father; by the God of the -Covenant, and by the stars of heaven."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well then, to-morrow Ben Hesed will set forth -for Jerusalem--never mind how I know, thou wilt -see--he will set forth, he and certain chosen ones -of his who also believe on the Nazarene; and we -will remain behind in charge of the stuff--of the -women, of the children, the young men, the -maidens, the tents and the furniture thereof, the -herds and the flocks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he will return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will not return, he nor any that go forth -with him, nor shall any know what hath befallen him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how canst thou accomplish this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish looked about him once more; the stars -were very bright over-head now, and the lonely -wind wailed loudly in his ear; it swept away with a -moan into the empty desert, the loose sand leaping -up beneath the trail of its unseen garments.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There be many things under the sun," he said -at length, his face whitening a little--"of which -thou hast not heard, and of which I have heard -only a moon since. This is one of them." And he -drew from his breast a tiny flask of crystal, filled -with a colorless liquid. "I have but to drop the -contents of this flask into water," he whispered, -leaning forward, and laying his hand upon his -companion's breast, "and they that drink thereof -will sleep--sleep sound and long."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What meanest thou?" exclaimed the other, -drawing back into the friendly darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will wake no more who drink, either for -war or peace; the desert shall work its will upon -them who have trodden under foot the law."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-scarlet-thread"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A SCARLET THREAD.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"These matters whereof thou hast spoken to -us are good, my lord; of the truth of them -am I well convinced, because of thy wisdom in -showing forth the prophecies which are writ by the -hand of holy and righteous men in the Scriptures," -and Pagiel bowed himself before Ben Hesed with -a solemn countenance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed laid aside the parchment roll from -which he had been reading, and a smile of -exceeding sweetness dawned in his keen eyes. "My -heart is rejoiced, son of my sister," he said gently, -"because thou hast believed these wondrous -tidings. It shall be well with thee, both in this -present world and in the world to come; even as -our glorified Lord hath declared, 'Blessed is he -that hath not seen and yet hath believed.' Would -that every one in this company of ours could also -find the light."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall -every word be established,' as is it written, my -lord. If now of those holy men who consorted -with the Nazarene in his life-time, one could come -into the desert and preach to us of him that was -crucified there would remain not one of us all who -should not believe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have thought of that--many times," said Ben -Hesed, drawing his heavy brows together. "Surely -I ought to do this thing, that all they that dwell in -this land may hear the good tidings of this exceeding -great joy. To my enemy also could be preached -the words of love and good will, then would peace -reign in the desert. His will should be done on -earth even as in heaven, no more shedding of -blood, no more strife, no more hatred. And why -indeed should not these things be?" and the -speaker's face glowed. "It is most simple--most -easy. We have but to obey--obey exactly the -words of the holy Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Most easy--most simple," murmured Pagiel, -rolling up his eyes sanctimoniously. "It will -doubtless soon come to pass; then will the lion lie -down with the lamb, even as it is written."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will do it," cried Ben Hesed, "and I will set -forth without delay. Some one of them can surely -be spared, if not of the apostles, the young man -Stephen, a most learned, most holy one. I will -also fetch the two Egyptians, who will by this time -have grown wise in the faith. Thou wilt love them -now, my Pagiel, because of the love of Christ in -thy heart. Love is the fulfilling of the law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly!" cried the other, with a venomous -gleam in his eye, "the fulfilling of the law; very -good--very true. We must all think of the law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We need think of but two laws now, God be -praised," said Ben Hesed. "Even as it was -declared by the Crucified One, 'Thou shalt love the -Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy -soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and -great commandment. And the second is like unto -it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On -these two commandments hang all the law and the -prophets.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou that I command the beasts to be -made ready for the start?" suggested Pagiel with -an impatient glance at Ben Hesed's abstracted -face. "On such an errand there can scarce be too -great speed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art right. Make ready, and at once; I -will take thee with me, also my sons, and ten men -which are skilled with the bow, since it may be -that we fall in with evil company by the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Resist not evil, as saith the Nazarene," quoth -Pagiel piously. "Will it not be better, my lord, to -leave me in charge of the women and little ones, -since I am next of kin to my lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked sharply into the meek face of -Pagiel. "I will leave thee in charge," he said; but -he looked thoughtfully at the man more than once -within the hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Pagiel, he was glad because that the eye -of man is not able to read the heart. He laughed -within himself as, with the help of Ben Kish, he -made ready the beasts of burden and the -provisions, for he thought that his day was come. -And he laughed yet again aloud when Ben Hesed -set forth on his journey, taking with him his two -sons together with ten men who were skillful with -the bow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His wife heard him laugh as he stood in the -door of the tent, and she asked him, "What is it -that hath pleased the heart of my lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To every man cometh a time to rejoice," he -made answer, "and long enough have I eaten out -my heart in bitterness. Make ready now a supper, -for we will feast this night." Then he turned to -his son-in-law. "Where is Simeon?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I know not," answered Ben Kish. "He -is perhaps with the herds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go and fetch him," commanded Pagiel.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish made search for the man Simeon; but -he found him not, neither with the herds nor -anywhere about the encampment. "The man is -gathering fuel," he said scowling, "or he hath gone -perchance after some wild beast to slay it." But at the -setting of the sun Simeon had not returned. Nor -did he come that night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope," said Ben Kish, "that a wild beast hath -slain him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All that day Ben Hesed, with his two sons and -the ten men who were skilful with the bow, made -haste on their journey and stayed not. "For," -said Ben Hesed, "I should have done this thing -many moons since; I alone am not sufficient for -the work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At evening an encampment was made so that -they might rest and be refreshed. As the servants -were gathering fuel for the fires, one of them saw -a man running toward the place where they were, -and he went and told Ben Hesed, saying, "Behold, -we have seen an appearance as of a man running. -How can this be, seeing that we are already a day's -journey in the wilderness?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But even as he told the thing, the runner -approached the encampment, and he fell on his face -before Ben Hesed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is Simeon," said Ben Hesed. "Raise him -up and give him water that he may speak. He -hath perchance evil tidings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they raised him up and offered him water, -but he would not drink until he had seen the skin -from which the water was taken; then he drank -deep and long.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What doth this mean," said Ben Hesed, "art -thou then smitten with madness, or hast thou -tidings of evil?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tidings of evil, alas, my lord," said Simeon, -bowing himself before his chief. And he told Ben -Hesed all that the son of Kish had said; also how -that he had showed him the crystal flask in the -desert by night. "The water-skin wherein the -potion was mingled is marked," he said. "I went -away by stealth into the desert that I might meet -thee as thou camest out, but it chanced that thou -camest out by another way, and I was not able to -overtake thee till now." He showed them, moreover, -the water-skin bound with a scarlet thread -about its nozzle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed rose up after that Simeon had told -him all, and he went away into the desert alone for -the space of three hours, that he might take -counsel with the Almighty concerning the thing. -When he returned he called four of the strong men -unto him, and he said to them, "The moon is -full to-night, therefore get ye up and make haste -to return to the encampment. And when thou art -returned seek out Pagiel and the son of Kish and -say to them: 'My lord hath commanded the -presence of you both that he may speak unto you -concerning a matter of importance.' Say no more -than this to the men, and if they come with you -willingly, well, but if they will not come, then -fetch them straightway. We will remain in this -place until thou shalt return."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the four men made haste all that night to -return, and in the morning they stood before the -tent of Pagiel and called for him to come out--for -he slept late because of the feasting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pagiel came forth after a space and heard what -the men had to say. And he bowed his head -before the messengers of Ben Hesed. "I will -arouse my son," he said, "that we may obey the -commands of my lord. He would doubtless give -to us some further directions concerning the herds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Awake!" he cried in the ear of Ben Kish. -"Awake to see an evil day, for my heart mistrusts -me concerning the man Simeon. Thou shouldst -not have told him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I told him at thy bidding," cried Ben Kish; -"and thinkest thou that we could carry out this -thing without adherents? If thou fearest Ben -Hesed, why not refuse to go? Tell the men that -thy wife is ailing and that I am with the herds. -When they shall search for me I will flee in the -opposite direction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pagiel shook his head gloomily. "Thy counsel -is evil, son of a herdsman," he replied. "My wife -is already at the fountain, and for thee would they -make instant search. We had best go peaceably, -for if we refuse they will suspect evil of us--It -may be after all that he hath heard nothing; and -at the worst, Ben Hesed is a merciful man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the two came forth with great show of -willingness, and they went with the messengers of -Ben Hesed into the wilderness a day's journey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At evening they stood in the presence of Ben -Hesed, and he spoke to them of the crystal flask -straightway. "Thus wouldst thou have slain more -than a half-score of souls of thine own kindred," -he said, his eyes burning with a fire that was -terrible to see. "And that without warning and -without mercy. What hast thou to say in thy -defense?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The face of Pagiel became the color of death -when he heard these words, and he would have -fallen had not Ben Kish held him up. "Thou art -unjust," cried the son of the herdsman, boldly. -"Prate not of mercy to righteous men. An enemy -hath told thee this lie concerning us. Twice hast -thou believed the word of a stranger before the -word of thy near kinsman. Thou art unjust!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is the thing not true then?" said Ben Hesed, -mildly, though his eye yet burned with that still -and terrible light.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not true," cried Ben Kish. "I swear it -by----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold!" said Ben Hesed, sternly. Then he -turned to Pagiel. "Is this tale of the poisoned -water true, or is it a lie?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a lie--a foul lie--a blasphemous lie," cried -Pagiel stoutly, the color stealing back to his livid -face. "Would I, thinkest thou, lift up my hand -against my next of kin? An enemy hath dealt -deceitfully with thee--may God requite him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God will requite him," said Ben Hesed -solemnly; "and he will also requite thee. Hear -now what I shall say. We are by swift dromedaries -a day's march from the encampment; this -distance ye can accomplish on foot without undue -fatigue to yourselves within the space of three -days. Return, therefore, in peace, and we will -proceed on our journey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pagiel bowed himself before his lord. "Thou -art a just man," he cried. But in his heart he -called Ben Hesed a fool.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou give us provisions that we faint not -by the way?" asked the son of Kish, looking -suspiciously into the calm face of his chief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Assuredly," answered Ben Hesed, "both of -food and of water." And he arose and gave -command to his servants that provision should be -made for the sustenance of the two men, during a -three day's journey, of the best of the corn, of the -dates, and of the cheeses of goat's milk which they -had provided. A skin of water also commanded -he to give them. And so they presently set forth, -Ben Hesed and his company upon their swift -dromedaries, their faces turned toward Judæa; -Pagiel and the son of Kish walking slowly in the -opposite direction, bearing upon their backs the -provision which Ben Hesed had given them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No sooner was the caravan out of sight and -hearing than Pagiel threw down his burden and burst -into a loud laugh; and he kissed. Ben Kish on -both his cheeks. "Verily," he cried, "thou art a -son worth the having; for this day thou didst save -me from the incredible folly of confessing to -yonder hoary knave all that was in my heart--the -words were even upon my lips. Ha, ha! The -wisdom of Ben Hesed is very foolishness compared -with the wisdom of the son of Kish. Give me to -drink, son, for I thirst already because of my -laughter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Kish let down the water-skin from his -shoulder. Then he stared at it, his eyes bulging -from his head in terror. About the nozzle was -bound a scarlet thread.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="ben-hesed-in-jerusalem"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BEN HESED IN JERUSALEM.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the fifth day of his journey Ben Hesed -reached Jerusalem. And he encamped without -the city, saying to his servants, "Bide ye here -while I offer a sacrifice in the temple; afterward I -will seek out the men with whom I have business."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So he went his way into the city, he and his two -sons, leaving the men in the encampment. And -he went straightway into the temple and offered a -burnt offering for his tribe by the hand of the -priest, casting also a goodly sum into the treasury -for a thank-offering, as he came out, because that -he had completed his journey in safety. "We will -go now to the house of John the Apostle," he said -to his sons, his face shining with peace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But as the three of them went their way through -the streets, they came suddenly upon a great -concourse of people gathered about the doors of a -synagogue. They could see that the synagogue -also was crowded, the doors standing open because -of the pressure of the multitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed paused for a moment, and it seemed -to him that he could hear the sound of heavy blows -and of groaning from within. The multitude also -heard, and they cried aloud and gnashed their -teeth at the sound.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fetch the blasphemers forth!" cried one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stone them!" howled another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this that is taking place within the -synagogue?" asked Ben Hesed of one who stood -next him in the crowd.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man glanced carelessly at his questioner. -"They are scourging two of the Nazarenes," he -replied. "There is no use to try to get in, friend," -he added. "One must come early to secure a -good place for seeing the sport. Fetch the -blasphemers forth and stone them," he yelled, putting -his hand to his mouth. "Ha! they will fetch -them forth; we shall see them after all!" And -he struggled through the crowd toward the steps -of the synagogue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the meaning of this tumult?" said -Ben Hesed again, and this time he put his -question to a respectable-looking man in the garb of -a carpenter, who stood eying the scene with an -inscrutable expression upon his face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man turned at the sound of his voice, and -looked at him suspiciously. "Whence dost thou -come that thou shouldst ask?" he said coldly. -Then with another searching glance he added, -"They are merely torturing some of the followers -of the Nazarene under the scourge. It is lawful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lawful!" cried Ben Hesed. "Who is it that -dares call such an outrage lawful? Room here! that -I may look further into this matter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the carpenter laid a warning hand upon his -arm. "Hist, man," he whispered. "If thou art -indeed a friend of the Nazarenes, hold thy peace; -else wilt thou shortly find thyself where thou canst -advantage neither thyself nor them that believe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His last words were drowned in the savage yell -with which the multitude greeted the appearance -of a detachment of temple police armed with -drawn swords. These marched rapidly down the -steps of the synagogue--the crowd opening to -let them pass--half dragging, half carrying the -limp figures of two men, whose blood-stained -garments and drawn, ghastly faces betrayed what they -had suffered within. After them poured out the -congregation, gesticulating and talking excitedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stubborn fools," Ben Hesed heard one man -say. "They have but to confess the crucified -Nazarene accursed, to escape all. If they will not -do that, let them die."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are they taking these men?" said Ben -Hesed to the carpenter, who still stood at his elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the prison, to recover from this scourging, -when they will receive another--or worse--if they -repent not of their blasphemous folly," answered -the man in a hard voice. "Let us get out of this -crowd, for God's sake," he whispered in the next -breath, "or we shall both be seized."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The upper end of the street was comparatively -clear of people, and here they presently found -themselves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art then a stranger in Jerusalem?" -queried the carpenter, wiping the great drops from -his forehead. "And a follower of the man Jesus? -Ay, I thought so. Verily, thou must needs know -that it were best to get thee back into thine own -country--and as speedily as possible; Jerusalem is -no place for them that believe. I myself am -going this very day with my wife and little ones; -only this morning I saw the spies of Saul in our -street."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou blowest both hot and cold, friend," said -Ben Hesed severely; "but a moment since----</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes, I know what thou wouldst say. I -spoke of their blasphemous folly, but"--and he -lowered his voice to a whisper and looked anxiously -about--"one of the temple police stood at my -elbow; I have a family to feed, therefore I must -needs be cautious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou -dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be -fed.' Why didst thou not hold thy peace altogether -rather than speak deceitfully?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man shrugged his shoulders. "I have no -mind to be either scourged or stoned for the faith," -he said; "I saw the stoning of Stephen and--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it that thou art saying?" cried Ben -Hesed aghast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The stoning of Stephen--hast thou not heard -of it? The very day after his death this -persecution broke out. Saul of Tarsus and the -Sanhedrim----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is John?" interrupted Ben Hesed. -"And the other apostles--what of the women?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Some of the apostles are in prison," answered -the man; "others are in hiding. Many of the -disciples are fled from the city. Some are in their -graves; they alone are safe," and the speaker -shivered with apprehension, and again looked -furtively about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Verily, they build up Zion with blood, and -Jerusalem with iniquity," said Ben Hesed solemnly. -"'Therefore shall Zion for your sakes be plowed -as a field, and Jerusalem shall become as heaps; -and the mountain of the house as the high places -of the forest.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot tarry longer," said the carpenter -impatiently. "If thou art a discreet man thou wilt -leave Jerusalem before nightfall. For my part I -would that I had never heard of the Nazarene. -Farewell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked after his retreating figure -thoughtfully. "What shall be the end of these -things, O Lord?" he murmured. "Behold many -shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but -the wicked shall do wickedly and shall not -understand; the wise shall understand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wilt thou that we return unto the encampment?" -said his younger son. "We shall not be -able to find them that we would; and we are not -sufficient in number to succor the distressed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eyes of Ben Hesed flashed. "Return if -thou wilt, son, and hide beneath the robe of thy -mother; but as for me, the Lord hath brought me -up to Jerusalem at this time that I might smite -the destroyer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am no coward, and that thou knowest right -well, my father," answered the young man -haughtily; "but remember, I pray thee, that we -have left the tribe with no leader--now that Pagiel -hath been proven false. If we should all three fall, -what of our wives, our little ones, our flocks and -our herds? Verily they would come upon evil -days, and shall not a man set them of his own -household before them which are strangers? -Return thou, my father, we will remain."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken not unwisely, son," admitted -Ben Hesed. "We must even go cautiously about -this matter; and if presently it appear that there -is a likelihood of bloodshed, thou, Ben Abu, shalt -return with two of the strong men. As for me I -am already old; if I fall, it matters not. Come, -let us be going."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they went their way towards the house of -John; past the market-places where excited groups -were discussing the reign of blood which had -begun in Jerusalem; past the synagogues crowded -with people--for the scourging of the Nazarenes -was going forward briskly in many places at once; -through dark alleys and beneath covered archways, -where men garbed as temple police lurked to -entrap the unwary; till at length they had come -to the street which they sought. It was choked -with people from end to end; but a singular and -almost breathless silence prevailed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What hath befallen here?" asked Ben Hesed -of a woman who stood holding a baby in her arms. -The woman turned upon him a white frightened -face. "Alas," she cried. "They refused to fly -when they were warned, declaring that God would -take care of them. And now it hath come to pass -that Saul himself hath entered into their dwelling. -God help them!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou speak of the household of John?" -asked Ben Hesed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, yes.--My God, he has seized them!" and -the woman burst into a hysterical shriek as a deep -low murmur arose from the multitude.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shame! Shame!" cried several voices at once. -"Leave the women in peace!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Room there! Silence!" cried a harsh voice. -"Use your swords, men, to clear the way!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an instant scattering amongst the -crowd, mostly composed of women and children--two -or three of the more timid ones bursting into -loud screams at sight of the glittering weapons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forward!" commanded the leader, a swarthy -undersized man, from whose scowling face and fiery -eyes the frightened children hid their faces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So this was the dreaded Saul of Tarsus. Ben -Hesed looked at him with undisguised contempt. -"Murderous coward!" he muttered beneath his -breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But now the prisoners, bound with heavy chains, -were filing past. Three women, their faces -wrapped in their mantles, in whom he nevertheless -recognized Mary, the mother of Jesus, Anna, -the wife of Caiaphas, and Anat the Egyptian -girl. Behind these walked a young man, also -bound, whose bleeding face and torn garments -betrayed the fact that he had not failed to defend -those committed to his charge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we had but come an hour earlier we might -have held the place," exclaimed Ben Hesed clenching -his fists. "Let us follow and see whither they -will take them. It is useless to attempt a rescue now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the Temple," came the second command. -"Close up there, and march more rapidly. Save -thy tears, woman; thou wilt have further need for -them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coward!" cried Ben Hesed again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And this time it was evident that the quick ear -of Saul had caught the sound, for he turned and -fixed a murderous look upon the speaker. "Dog -of an apostate!" he hissed, "thy day is coming."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Callest thou me dog?" cried Ben Hesed in a -fury, and would have closed with the Pharisee on -the spot, had not his two sons held him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let be," whispered the younger of the twain, -"or we shall not be able to save them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed drew back, muttering fiercely. "I -will slay him for that word," he said. "Let us -follow them in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this it presently appeared was impossible; -for the prisoners being now arrived at the Temple, -were conducted by way of the Court of the Women -into the lesser chamber of judgment. And -immediately the doors were shut.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-mercy-of-israel"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXIII.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE MERCY OF ISRAEL.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The light which streamed in from the single -window high up in the massive wall revealed -a square room, ceiled and paved with stone. It -was empty save for an oaken table, behind which -in a high-backed chair sat an old man of severe -and reverend aspect. On either side of him -stood two officers of the temple police, -motionless as statues and armed with long spear-pointed -staves. All this Anat, who was the first of the -women to pass into the chamber, saw with a -single timid glance. She shrank back before the -stern eyes of the man in the chair, and -reaching out one manacled hand touched the robe of -Mary, who was just behind her. The mother of -Jesus took the little trembling hand and held it -firmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul advanced to the table and laid upon it a slip -of parchment, at the same time whispering a few -words into the ear of the old man, who frowned -slightly and nodded once or twice as his eye passed -slowly from one to the other of the four prisoners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is the man John?" he demanded suddenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>No one answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can ye not speak?" he cried, striking the table -with his clenched fist, "or hath it come to pass -that your scurrilous tongues are already withered -in your mouths?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If thou art questioning me," said Seth calmly, -"I wot not where the apostle is; he went forth on -some errand of mercy early this morning, leaving -me in charge of the house. We be law-abiding -citizens, dwelling in a law-abiding city, wherefore -hath it come to pass that we are thus dragged -through the streets in chains?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That shalt thou shortly hear," replied Annas -grimly. "Hast thou examined these prisoners?" -he asked, turning to Saul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I examined them briefly before making the -arrests, according to my custom," answered Saul. -"For I would not that I transgress the law in this -work of purging the holy city of them that -blaspheme. I found all of these prisoners obstinate -and stiff-necked, unwilling to renounce their sins -and to make confession of their unrighteousness, -therefore I have brought them before thee for -further examination and sentence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This being so, the law must take its course -with them," said Annas sternly. "Do thou, Mary -of Nazareth, stand forth. Remove the veil from -off thy face."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a firm step the mother of Jesus advanced -and stood before the table; she threw back the -shrouding mantle, her beautiful, pallid face -shining forth as if illumined with a strange inward -radiance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas looked at her for an instant, then he -dropped his eyes and fell to turning over the -parchments which lay before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Art thou the mother of the Man of Nazareth?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou didst teach him to believe unholy and -blasphemous things regarding himself when he was -a child," said Annas, still looking down at the -table; "therefore did he continue to delude -himself and others when he was grown, and at the last -perished miserably on the accursed tree. Hath not -God punished thee sufficiently for thy presumptuous -sin that thou dost still persist in pretending -that thy son is the Messiah of Israel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is the Messiah of Israel," said Mary, her -deep eyes shining. "Wherefore my soul doth -magnify the Lord, for he hath regarded the low estate -of his hand-maiden; behold from henceforth all -generations shall call me blessed. He is the -Messiah of Israel, but he is also much more, he is the -Prince of Peace, the Saviour of the world. For -the Lord hath shewed strength with his arm, he -hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of -their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from -their seat, and exalted them of low degree. And -God hath delivered his holy child Jesus from death -and from the power of the grave, and hath set him -down at the right hand of power for ever more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Daughter of Abraham," said Annas, lifting his -shaking hand, "thou hast blasphemed. Thou -knowest the penalty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Father," cried an agonized voice, "forbear this -last awful sin, lest God smite thee in his wrath and -consume thee to ashes!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the sound of this voice the face of Annas -changed. He rose to his feet and stared for a -moment at the shrouded figure which knelt before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who--who is it that speaks to me?" he said, -and his voice trembled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is I--thine own daughter, Anna; dost thou -not know me? I beseech thee by the mercies of -Jehovah that thou raise not thy hand against the -mother of the Christ."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woman, I know thee not. Get thee up and -stand back. Out of thine own mouth art thou -already condemned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I care not for myself--death were welcome. -But take heed to thyself, I beseech thee, before -thou layest violent hands upon this holy woman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas laughed contemptuously. "Have we not -crucified the carpenter?" he said, "and are -unscathed; is the mother of the carpenter more -exalted? Nay, we shall deal with her after the law; -the law is just."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this Seth started forward. "Prate not of the -law who art a murderer!" he said in a choked voice. -"The man Jesus was guiltless and ye did condemn -him. Guiltless also are these women; release them, -but do with me as thou wilt--the servant is not -greater than his lord."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas trembled with rage. He essayed to speak, -but the words died on his lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now seest thou what manner of perverse and -pestilent apostates these are," said Saul. -"Furthermore, the man is an alien. There is no need -that we continue to argue this matter with them. -Israel is ever merciful and just, according to the -commands of Jehovah, therefore let them be -publicly scourged without the gates; if the stripes be -wholesome to bring them back to their right minds -and to a knowledge of the truth, well. They will -then confess right gladly that the man of Nazareth -and all his works are of the devil. After this shall -a blood offering be made for them; so shall they -be cleansed from their iniquities. But and if they -will not so confess, let their sin abide upon them; -let them die the death appointed in the law of -Moses for such as are blasphemers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Justice and mercy are in the words of thy -mouth," said Annas slowly. Then he turned to the -prisoners: "Forty stripes save one shall be laid -upon each and every one of you to-morrow at about -this hour, according to the magnitude of your -offences and the law of Moses, who thus appointed -it for the peace of Israel. Afterward--if ye will -not confess--ye shall die the appointed death."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mercy--have mercy!" cried Anna, laying hold -of his robe. "We cannot but believe the things -which we have seen and heard. Nay, thou wouldst -thyself believe if the Lord should reveal himself -to thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas drew away with a gesture of abhorrence. -"Unhand me, woman," he said sternly. "Satan -hath blinded thee to the truth; I will pray for thee -that thou be undeceived at the last. Take them away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thrust these blasphemers into the inner -prison," commanded Saul a half-hour later, "and -remember that thou answerest for them with thine -own life. Come not to me on the morrow with -any whining tale of angel or devil, and think thus -to excuse thyself for their escape. Let them be -missing at the third hour to-morrow, and thou -thyself shalt suffer in thine own body the penalty to -which these are condemned. Thou hast heard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chief jailer shrugged his shoulders. "I have -heard, my lord. This night at every watch will I -inspect the prisoners. But I pray thee send also -additional guards, for life is precious to me, and I -have not forgotten what hath happened more than -once when these Nazarenes have been imprisoned; -peradventure the man himself might appear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coward!" growled Saul. "The man hath perished -off the face of the earth, so likewise shall -perish all who believe on him. If thou art one of -these, room shall be made for thee within."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, my lord, nay," cried the jailer trembling. -"I do not believe--I swear it; but there have been -strange things of late, and the devil himself hath -powers----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will send a guard," interrupted Saul shortly. -"Hold thy peace and do thy duty, and all shall be -well with thee. Admit no one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The chief jailer bowed himself almost to the -ground before the Pharisee, whose renown had by -this time spread throughout Jerusalem, and in -whose presence the temple officials from the -highest unto the lowest trembled. "I will admit no -one," he said, and he again made obeisance as Saul -strode through the prison gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Lock the gate and double bar it," he cried -irritably to the guard. "Then stand there for your -lives; if these prisoners get away, and I have to -die for it, be sure that not one of you shall escape. -Thrust the man into the stocks," he added to the -turnkey, who stood at his elbow; "as for the -women, chain them to the floor. I will come after -a little and look to them. Food? No; let them -fast. Give them water."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the inner prison, where the darkness seemed -only the more intense because of the feeble rays -of daylight which struggled through the little -square of grating above the door, were the four -who were condemned to death. The young man -Seth made fast in the stocks, the three women -chained to heavy rings which were riveted into the -stone floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost think that He will deliver us?" whispered -Anat, laying hold of the robe of Mary and pressing -it to her lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will deliver us, beloved, in his own best -way," answered Mary tenderly. "If the way lie -through the dark valley, then will the end thereof -be only the more glorious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the scourging--the shame, how--how shall -we endure it?" wailed Anat piteously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He also endured--being divine," said Mary, -her voice trembling; "and shall we who are but -mortal shrink back? Think not of the morrow, -save as thou dost think that to-morrow we shall -stand before Him in clothing of immortality."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But if we fail, deny him?" faltered Anat. "I -know not my own heart--whether I can endure -unto the end."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will give thee grace when the need comes. -Wouldst thou at this moment deny him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No--ah, no."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither wilt thou deny him on the morrow. -He giveth his strength in due season, and -to-morrow is in his hand."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Anna, the wife of Caiaphas, she sat silent, -her head bowed upon her knees. Mary thought -that perhaps she slept, and in her tender heart she -hoped that this was so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Every hour the chief jailer flashed the light of -his torch into their prison. "Where now is he -that delivereth?" he cried tauntingly. And again, -"If angels visit thee during the night watches cry -aloud, for I have sworn by my life to deliver thy -bodies to judgment on the morrow." Being -insensible--as indeed are most mortals to celestial -sights and sounds--he did not perceive that the -whole place was filled with the airs of heaven and -with the rustling of angelic pinions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At midnight the drowsy guards were awakened -by a loud knocking upon the outer gate of the prison.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Open!" cried a voice. "Open at once, in the -name of the Sanhedrim." The governor of the -prison looked out, and beholding by the light of -the lantern that it was Caleb himself who knocked, -he opened cautiously and admitted him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have orders," said Caleb, "to speak a word -in private with one of the women who are in ward -here; this is the token of my authority," and he -displayed before the eyes of the chief jailer the -signet ring of Annas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the Pharisee Saul--" began the jailer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Caleb waved his hand impatiently. "Fetch the -woman out to me and at once," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are chained to the floor," grumbled the -jailer, "and I will not fetch out any one of them, -were it by the order of Herod himself. Go thou in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Caleb went into the prison, the jailer -following close upon his heels. "Which is the woman -called Anna?" he said. "I have here a message -for her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when the daughter of Annas had been -pointed out to him, he thrust into her hand a -packet. "Use what is within to save the honor of -thy house," he whispered. "It is sent thee in -mercy by the hand of Annas." Then he turned -swiftly and went out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anna opened the packet, a vague hope stirring -at her heart; but she shrank back with a shiver as -the flash of the departing light fell upon the blade -of a dagger.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="at-the-third-hour"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXIV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">AT THE THIRD HOUR.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the morrow a great crowd had assembled -about the prison which held the four who -were condemned to public scourging and to death; -for evil tidings travel fast, and there is ever an -ignoble multitude who reckon as high holiday a -spectacle of human agony.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet there were those who looked in one another's -faces with sombre and despairing eyes. "The last -days are at hand," they murmured, "the days of -wrath and of burning. For shall not God avenge -his own elect which cry day and night unto him? -Yea, he will avenge them, and that right speedily." But -still the sun poured down with impartial -splendor, gilding alike the gloomy walls of the -blood-stained prison, and the yellow curls of the -year-old babe. And the placid heaven gave no -sign of the invisible hosts of glory behind its azure -wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Exactly at the third hour, Saul accompanied by -a strong guard approached the prison. His face -was pale and haggard, but upon it was stamped a -look of savage determination before which the mob -fell back with a dull low murmur.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The governor of the prison greeted him with -manifest joy. "The prisoners which thou didst -commit to my charge are safe--quite safe, my -lord," he said, rubbing his hands. "We had no -visions; neither angels, earthquakes, nor demons. -We are----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fetch them forth," said Saul, with a peremptory -gesture and a fierce look at the jailer, before -which that functionary drew back with an -apologetic obeisance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, certainly, at once, my worshipful lord; -just as soon as we shall be able to undo the chains. -Here you," he roared, addressing the turnkey, -"fetch the four from the inner prison."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So presently the condemned came forth into the -prison yard, and stood before Saul. Their faces -were calm, even joyful, and the Pharisee ground -his teeth as he looked at them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hast thou counted the cost of thy perverseness?" -he said abruptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have counted the cost," replied Mary of -Nazareth in a firm voice, "and the reward is -exceeding glorious above all that it hath entered into -the heart of man to imagine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thinkest thou so?" answered Saul. "Those -of thy company may be of a better mind. Take -heed to what I shall say," he added, turning to the -other three. "The Sanhedrim is full of mercy and -compassion; and while it will without faltering -carry on the work which it hath undertaken of -cleansing and purifying Israel of this monstrous -and blasphemous belief in a perished malefactor, it -also offers pardon freely to all who confess and -forsake the error of their ways. If now at this last -hour ye will acknowledge that the Nazarene was -an impostor inspired by the father of lies; that he -justly died the accursed death; that his body -moreover was stolen by his followers from out the tomb -in which it was buried, for the express purpose of -confirming this accursed blasphemy; if ye shall now -make confession of these things, it is the merciful -mandate of them which are in authority that ye be -immediately released without further scathe or -punishment. Ye have heard. Wilt thou, maiden, -so confess, thereby securing to thyself bodily -safety and the blessing of the Almighty?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a breathless silence for an instant, -then Anat raised her large dark eyes to the face of -the Pharisee. "Sir, I have heard thy offer of -safety, and this is my answer. I believe on the -Lord Jesus Christ, because I who was once blind -now see; I believe that he was put to death upon -the cross that he might draw all men unto him and -heal them from their sins, even as Moses lifted up -the serpent in the wilderness that the stricken -Israelites might look and be saved; I believe that -he arose from among the dead on the third day, and -is set down forever at the right hand of God. These -things I do affirm and believe in this the last hour -of my mortal life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art condemned," said Saul slowly, but his -face was more white than the face of the maiden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Young man," he said, turning to Seth, "wilt -thou confess to the things which I have already -enumerated, that thou mayest live out thy days in -peace?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot deny him on whom I have believed, -even for the sake of life--and life is sweet," faltered -Seth, on whom the shadow had lain very heavily -all the night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou art condemned," repeated Saul in a hollow voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Woman, who by reason of thine exalted birth -shouldst have remained a mother in Israel, wilt -thou renounce these vile errors after which thou -hast strayed? In so renouncing thou shalt find -again a father's, a husband's forgiveness and favor. -For so I am bidden to say unto thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Anna trembled and was silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dost thou so acknowledge thy sin?" said Saul; -and it seemed to them that listened that there was -a note of entreaty in his stern voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God of my fathers!" cried the wife of Caiaphas, -looking up into the dazzling blue of the sky. "Help -me to know without shadow of doubt what is truth; -and enable me to witness to it without faltering." Then -she turned to Saul. "Tell my husband and -my father, that the forgiveness and favor of God is -rather to be desired than the forgiveness and favor -of any mortal, however beloved. I believe that -Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of Israel; and if -I must now die for that belief, I die willingly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Saul bowed his head without speaking. "Close -up about the prisoners," he commanded the guard, -who had stood silent witnesses of the scene, "and -conduct them to the place of punishment."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span>* * * * *</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Abu Ben Hesed had not been idle during the -hours which had passed since he had seen the -prisoners disappear behind the closed door of the -judgment hall. He had followed them to the -prison; and from a temple underling who was not -insensible to the glitter of gold as seen through the -fingers of the desert chief, he had made shift to -find out the number of guards, the strength of the -walls and the general plan of the prison.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A safe prison, truly," he said to his informant, -as the gold changed hands--neither apparently -being aware of the transaction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Safe as the tomb," assented the temple official, -slyly rubbing the coin with a corner of his robe. -"Once within yonder walls, a man is seen no more -till he is fetched out." Then he fell to eying the -hand of Ben Hesed, fancying that he again saw -there a gleam of something yellow. He was not -mistaken; and his face grew proportionately genial -as a second coin joined the first in his own greedy palm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am but lately arrived in Jerusalem," said Ben -Hesed, "and have as yet not witnessed the -punishment of any of these apostates. 'Twere a goodly -sight to see a blasphemer suffer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ay, a goodly sight. I have seen many. Man, -but they be obstinate! Wouldst thou witness a -grand spectacle, then be without the Damascus -Gate to-morrow. 'Twill be in the very place where -they stoned the pestilent Gentile, Stephen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will stone only the man, I suppose?" said -Ben Hesed with apparent unconcern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They will scourge all four--forty stripes save -one," and the fellow smacked his lips in anticipation. -"I myself am to handle one of the scourges, -and I understand the business as none other in -Jerusalem. I can fetch the blood every time; thou -wilt see." And he winked at Ben Hesed, and -cautiously clinked the gold pieces with the air of a -man who is at peace with himself and all the world.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed could with difficulty keep his hands -from the throat of the wretch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"After the scourging, the Sanhedrim will give -them one more chance to renounce their evil beliefs," -continued the official, "a mere form, for they -are all as stubborn as the father of lies himself. A -few stones will suffice to finish them. So perish -all who blaspheme the law!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall be there," declared Ben Hesed. "Ah, -stay, should they change the hour and place bring -me word, and I will recompense thee with as much -again as thou hast already in thy hand. I am not -minded to lose the sight. Thou wilt find me -encamped just without the Damascus Gate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will bring thee word, son of Abraham, I swear -it by the veil of the Temple. Peace be with thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later Ben Hesed held a council of war -in his camp. "We cannot take the prison," he -said, drawing his heavy brows together. "For -they would straightway rouse the Romans at the -citadel, which is but a stone's throw from the outer -wall of the place. We must wait till they fetch -them out to-morrow, and may the Almighty give -us the wisdom and the strength which we need. -Ay, and he will give it," he added, his eye flashing -fire. "It is ever the pleasure of Jehovah to show -forth his power by the hand of the few, even as by -the hand of Gideon with three hundred men he -overthrew the hosts of the Midianites and Amalekites, -which were as the grasshoppers for multitude."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then directed he the twelve men who were with -him after what manner they should do on the -morrow, and every man of them lay down and slept. -But Ben Hesed slept not all the night, for he -prayed mightily unto God that he would deliver -them which were persecuted out of the hand of the -destroyer; and he prayed also for him that was -wasting the church, that his eyes might be opened. -At the coming of the dawn he also laid down for a -space, for he said, "I will both lay me down in -peace and sleep; for thou Lord only makest me to -dwell in safety. The Lord will save the afflicted -people, he will give me the necks of his enemies, -for God is a God of great deliverances."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very early the people began to pour out from the -Damascus Gate, that they might secure good places -for the seeing. They brought with them food and -drink also, that they might make merry. Ben -Hesed looked at them and he waxed exceeding angry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Behold!" he said, "these dwellers in the holy -city are come out as to a holiday, with laughing -and feasting. They are become as the dwellers in -Sodom, and as the inhabitants of the earth before -the flood, for they delight themselves in blood and -in violence. They make merry and eat and drink -to-day, but the days shall come wherein they shall -mourn and cry aloud, and their tears shall be their -meat day and night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the third hour drew nigh, the people began -to crane their necks toward the gate through -which the condemned were to come forth, and they -grew impatient and murmured as the moments -dragged by.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What now if they have already confessed?" -said one woman. "We shall have put ourselves to -this trouble for naught. Nay, but I believe that they -have confessed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mayhap," said her neighbor, "but I shall not -give up the matter before noon, now that I am -here. Verily," she added with a shrug, "I am -glad now that I did not go over to their number; I -came near it once when the man Peter preached in -our street that their Messiah would come back and -that right speedily. If what they tell about the -Nazarene being alive were true, he would certainly -come in these days." Then they fell to gossiping -in neighborly fashion about their husbands, the -linen that they had spun, and the preparations for -the approaching feast-day, stopping suddenly to -listen as a loud and ever growing murmur of sound -arose from within the gates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming!" cried the multitude as with -one voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are coming!" said Ben Hesed, tightening -his grasp on the strong bow upon which he -was leaning. The little band of fourteen men had -established themselves on a rocky eminence -directly above the spot where the scourging was to -take place, well screened from observation by a -tangle of low-growing shrubs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The procession, headed by a strong detachment -of temple guards, soon came in sight, the prisoners -heavily chained walking two by two. Behind -them followed a number of Sanhedrists, among -whom the women pointed out to one another the -famous Saul of Tarsus, as second only in interest -to the condemned prisoners.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They do say," whispered one, "that he enters -without ceremony into the houses wherein dwell -them that believe on the Nazarene, and that he -drags them forth to prison and to death without -mercy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true," returned her neighbor. "I -chanced to be in the house of Mary when he came -there--for as thou knowest, she was a kind soul, -whatever her sins, and ready always to lend from -her store for the convenience of them that -lacked--indeed one might say as much of them all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how didst thou escape?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I simply repeated what the man bade me, -without ado; but I had like to have fainted. How I -reached my home afterward I scarce know; my -husband hath forbidden me to speak with any of them -hereafter--though God knows the command was -needless. But see! They are about to bind them -to the posts for the scourging." At the next -breath the speaker screamed aloud in terror, -grasping her neighbor by the arm. A swift something -had smitten the man who was advancing to lay -hold on Mary of Nazareth, and with a wild yell of -agony he leapt high into the air, falling stone dead -at his victim's feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before the startled multitude had time to recover -themselves, a very whirlwind of destruction, -savage, swift, merciless, had swept down upon them -from the rocky eminence above their heads, the -wild battle-cry of the desert sounding in their -guilty ears like the trumpet call of the last day. -And the people fled from before it in a frenzy of -mad fear, running, stumbling, falling, the strong -trampling the weak under foot, amid a wild tumult -of shrieks, curses and entreaties to God to spare them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The temple guard, encouraged by the ringing -voice of Saul of Tarsus, made at the first some faint -show of resistance, then they too turned and fled -for their lives.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cowards!" shouted Saul angrily; "there are -but a handful of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But his voice was drowned in the general uproar. -Seizing a spear from the hand of one of the flying -guard, he flung himself into the thickest of the -fight, striking out right and left in a sort of blind -fury. Then something struck him full in the -forehead, a wave as of fire flashed before his eyes, the -spear dropped from his nerveless fingers, and he -fell--down--down into darkness and silence.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="on-the-road-to-damascus"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXV.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Neighbor, dost think it is safe for us to -come down? Verily, for myself, I shall -take the risk, if risk there be, for my limbs are as -stiff as those of yonder dead man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By way of answer, the other man shook a warning -finger at the speaker, and proceeded to clamber -up still further into the branches of the tree in -which these two spectators of the stirring scene -which had just transpired were hidden. "Wait a -little," he whispered, "till I shall make sure that -the fellows have gone. By the thunderbolts of -Jove!" he exclaimed with a laugh, as he presently -descended to a level with his companion, "that was -a greater sight than the stoning which we came -out to see; I would not have missed it--no, not -for ten shekels of silver!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have they gone?" said the first querulously. -"I tell thee that my limbs have lost all feeling, so -long have I sat here without moving."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou mayest thank the gods that thou art alive -to complain, friend. But come down, come down; -there is naught to hurt thee now, and we must look -to these dead men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who were the rescuers, thinkest thou?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, I know not. There were thirteen of -them, for I counted; verily, I believe that the -multitude thought them the twelve apostles headed -by the Nazarene himself." And the speaker -threw back his head and laughed again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay, there were fourteen," said the other, -with an obstinate shake of the head. "I also -counted, and I never make a mistake. They were -wild men out of the desert, I opine," he added -sagely. "I have seen the like many times when -crossing to Egypt, for I have traveled in my day." Then -he looked anxiously about him. "There is -no one dead here save the man yonder," he said, -"and he was smitten at the first. We had best -make haste and return to the city; this affair is -nothing to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold, dost thou not see a body yonder in the -shadow of the bush? By the rod of Moses, I think -I saw him move; let us look to it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had best leave the whole matter alone, I -tell thee," insisted his companion with irritation. -"Thanks be to Jehovah, I have had nothing to do -with it so far--save to look on; and I tell thee -that I will not lay a finger to yonder body, be it -dead or alive. Come, I am going to the city." And -without stopping for further parley, the -speaker began to run toward the city gate, -apparently not hearing the loud cries to stop which his -companion sent after him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Coward!" muttered the one who was left; then -he walked over to the body, which lay face -downward in the shadow of the bushes, and deliberately -turned it over, starting back with a cry of surprise -as the identity of the unconscious man became -apparent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis Saul of Tarsus! So the wolf is himself -bitten for once; but not unto death, I am -thinking." He sprinkled the face of the wounded man -with water, and forced a little wine between his -clenched teeth. "Only a bruise," he continued -reflectively, as he examined the body with care. -"I suspect that the Nazarenes would thank me -should I thrust him through as he lies. He is a -hard man--a hard man. Yet that is nothing to me. -Ha! he is reviving already. Another sip of the -wine, friend; thou hadst a sharp blow, and it hath -confused thy senses somewhat; but thou wilt -shortly----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did the blasphemers escape me?" said Saul in -a hollow voice, sitting up and looking about him. -Then his eye fell upon the four empty posts -which had been set up for the scourging, and he -groaned aloud.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be thankful rather that thou hast thyself -escaped with so slight an injury," said the man who -still stood at his side, flask in hand. "Another -sup of----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold thy peace, fellow," said Saul savagely, -springing to his feet. "The cowardly knaves!--to -flee from their duty before a dozen peasants,--where -are they? Which way did they go?" And -he fixed his angry eyes on his rescuer, who was -calmly girding himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast bidden me hold my peace, Pharisee; -and I am not the man to be bidden twice. Farewell, -and a good recovery to thee." And the man -turned resolutely away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay, friend. I should not have spoken thus -to one who had done me a kindness," said Saul. -"Grant me thy pardon, and tell me, I beseech -thee, what thou canst of this affair--if thou wast -witness to it. God knows that it was untimely; -another hour might have seen four penitent ones -restored to the fold of Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thinkest thou so, Pharisee?" said the other -carelessly. "Now for myself I think otherwise. -Another hour would have seen four corpses -yonder, where now we see but one. The affair -was timely enough for the Nazarenes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thy name, man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My name, Pharisee, is Festus; I am a free-born -Roman, resident of Jerusalem yonder for -a score of years back, but answerable to no man -for my beliefs or practices. If it pleaseth me to -believe on a crucified man instead of on Jove or -Jehovah, thou canst neither scourge nor stone me -for it. And now, most courteous rabbi, let me -advise thee to return with all haste into Jerusalem, -and in future to moderate thy zeal, lest thou come -to an untimely end." With which bit of advice, -received by Saul in contemptuous silence, the man -strode away toward Jerusalem.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Left to himself the baffled Pharisee examined -the ground carefully, pausing at length to question -several peasants who had left their work in the -neighboring fields to gather at the scene of the -disaster.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didst thou see which way the knaves fled?" he -asked of one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man looked at him stupidly. "They be fled -along the road yonder," he said, pointing with his -finger to the highway.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which way, north or south?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They went that way, master," said the peasant, -pointing toward the north, which was indeed the -opposite direction from that which Ben Hesed and -his company had taken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He asked me which way the knaves were fled," -said the man to his companions, as they stood -staring after the departing figure of Saul. -"Assuredly the knaves who came out to look upon the -death of the just went that way, since it took them -back to Jerusalem. As for the Nazarenes and -those that saved them this day, God be with them, -I did not look to see which way they fled. Jehovah -grant them a swift journey and a safe abiding-place -from the hand of that pestilent Pharisee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken!" cried the others with an -air of enjoyment, after which they went peacefully -back to their labors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the meantime Saul was hastening back to -Jerusalem with rage in his heart; bruised, baffled, -humiliated as he was, he lost no time in seeking -Annas that he might acquaint him with the -untoward occurrence of the morning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will pursue them," he said, "even unto -strange cities. Within this hour will I set forth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas looked thoughtful. "Thou sayest," he -said, "that they be fled towards the north. It -hath come to my ears of late that there be many -of these accursed apostates who have taken refuge -in Damascus. So that there is now a goodly -company of them dwelling in fancied security in that -city, waxing fat and flourishing, as doth this -pestilent weed of evil wherever it taketh root. The -men who have this day interfered with the just -sentence of the law, have doubtless accomplished -the mischief through the connivance of some -person who hath played traitor to the cause, and are -now fled to Damascus, thinking to find there a -refuge from the wrath of Israel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who is the traitor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Annas hesitated for an instant. "There be foes -among them of a man's own household in these -days," he said in a half whisper. "Caiaphas hath -disappeared, I know not whither; but I fear--I -fear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Damascus is under Aretas, Emir of Petra, now," -said Saul after a pause. "With him thy house -hath friendly relations. Give me therefore letters -that I may carry fire and the sword into the camp -of Jehovah's enemies. I will not let so much as -one of them escape me," and he ground his teeth -savagely. "I will fetch them chained to Jerusalem, -that they may perish in sight of the walls which -they have dishonored."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou hast spoken wisely and well, my son. I -will procure the letters for thee at once, so that -thou mayest start without delay. As for matters in -this city, there shall be no sparing of pains nor -effort to carry on to its completion the good work -which we have begun. Jehovah hath prospered us -mightily so far. We hear of no more blasphemous -gatherings in Solomon's Porch; no more preaching -of a false Messiah in the synagogues; no more -healing of vile beggars in the name of the accursed -one; no further prating about apostles or disciples. -Men walk soberly in these days as they have not -since the days of the malefactor. Let us continue -in this good cause, my son, and we shall have -triumphed gloriously. This disgraceful heresy, -which is even as a spot of foul leprosy on the fair -body of Israel, shall be utterly purged away. Then -indeed may we hope once more for the coming of -the Anointed One."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eyes of the young man flashed fire. "Amen -and Amen!" he cried. "May Jehovah hasten the -day!" But his brow was gloomy and forbidding -as ever, when an hour later he had finished the -visitation of the prisons wherein groaned many -that believed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither scourgings, threatenings, revilings, nor -torture of any degree hath the power to move these -Nazarenes," declared the chief-jailers; "and the -women yield no whit easier than the men."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A spot of leprosy indeed," muttered Saul to -himself, "it hath by stealth crept into the very -life-blood of the nation; and how hardly shall the -deadly leprosy be cleansed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Another hour and he was in the saddle pressing -forward with all haste towards Damascus, for he -hoped to overtake the fugitives before night. With -him traveled a well-armed escort of tried and -experienced men, to whom had been promised large -rewards should the mission be successful. The -journey to Damascus was a long one, the roads -were rough and ill-made moreover, so that progress -was necessarily slow. Hasten as he might, Saul -could not hope to reach Damascus before the -better part of a week. As for them that had escaped, -it was impossible for him to decide whether or -not they were still before him. Now and again he -heard from the khans along his route, of a troop of -horsemen with whom were traveling also women, -but when on the third day he actually overtook -such a company of wayfarers it turned out to be -merely a caravan of wine merchants, traveling with -their wives and little ones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will at all events press on to Damascus," he -decided, "for even should I not immediately lay -hand upon the ones I seek, there are in that city -other lost sheep of the house of Israel which I -must needs bring back into the fold."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this journey for the first time in many -months Saul found time to think. Habitually -taciturn and forbidding, his subordinates did not -venture to address the haughty Pharisee save when -it became necessary; so for long hours the man -sat silent, while his beast picked its slow and -difficult way along the rocky roads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Strangely enough his thoughts wandered again -and again from the object of his journey; in these -vernal solitudes the wily words of Annas faded -from his mind. Something in the pure-eyed -flowers that leaned in shy welcome from the -roadside grass put him in mind of Stephen, the dead -apostate, as he bitterly termed him. Before his -mental vision there arose again that never-to-be-forgotten -face; now radiant with the fire of youth -and enthusiasm, as he remembered it in many a -heated debate over law and prophecy; now stern -and unrelenting as he pronounced the terrible -arraignment which yet echoed in the ears of the -Pharisee: "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in -heart and ears; ye do always resist the Holy -Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the -prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And -they have slain them which shewed before the -coming of the Just One; of whom ye have now -become the betrayers and murderers!" Then -pallid beneath the icy shadow of approaching -death, yet shining with a mysterious glory as he -cried out, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and -the Son of Man standing on the right hand of -power." And yet again, touched with the mystic -seal of the great deliverer as he had lain "asleep" -on the stony ground beyond the Damascus Gate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In vain did he endeavor to shake off these haunting -visions, resolutely repeating aloud commands, -prohibitions and long passages of the law, -rigorously observing the ceremonial washings and -cleansings whenever the company halted beside a -running stream. All was in vain, "Ye who -received the law as it was ordained by angels, and -kept it not!" sounded the inexorable voice. And -with and through it, mingled the wail of women -bereft of their little ones, the groanings of strong -men beneath the scourge, the sullen clang of prison -doors, and the clank of chains.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the fifth night of his journey the agony -became so intolerable that he left his tent and -wandered out beneath the open heavens. "My God!" -he groaned aloud, "have I not kept thy law, and -loved thy statutes? Yet have I no peace: my -days are consumed with anguish. Surely thou -hast hated iniquity and thou hast loved righteousness; -behold now I have done all these things that -thy name might be exalted before the people, that -blasphemy and deceit might cease from out the -land." And he vowed a great sacrifice before the -Lord of fat sheep and oxen. But again came the -haunting voice, "O ye house of Israel, have ye -offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices for the -space of forty years. But behold, I will carry you -away beyond Babylon--who have received the law -ordained of angels and have kept it not."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have kept the law!" he cried aloud, and the -hills replied in melancholy echoes, "the law--the law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then there crowded into his thought the faces -of the four who had escaped out of his hand, and -he remembered the look in the eyes of the maiden -as she said, "I believe that he was put to death -upon the cross that he might draw all men unto -him and heal them from their sins, even as Moses -lifted up the serpent in the wilderness that the -stricken Israelites might look and be saved," and -with these words there mingled the solemn voices -of prophecy, "Surely he hath borne our griefs -and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him -stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he -was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised -for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was -upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All -we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned -every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid -upon him the iniquity of us all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God, if it be true," he murmured; and for a -moment the soft radiance of that ever brooding -presence of love had well nigh penetrated his dark -soul, then he lifted his head stubbornly. "I -cannot believe," he cried. "I will not believe.--Shall -I, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, accept a Messiah -who hath died the accursed death? I am mad. I -will not believe--unless I too can see the heavens -opened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laughed aloud as he spoke the words, and -the sound of his laughter fled away through the -silent night to the dark hills which caught it and -tossed it back upon him in mocking echoes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the morrow they journeyed in the plains of -Anti-libanus, a vast arid burning desert, wherein -was neither water nor verdure, and the men and -the beasts were parched by reason of the great -heat. Certain ones of the company therefore -besought Saul that they might tarry by the way. "Let -us rest till the heat of the day be past," they said, -"then shall we with ease reach the village of -Kaukab; there will we abide till morning, that we may -enter Damascus before the hour of the great heat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We will not tarry," replied Saul, "until we -reach Damascus." And there was that in his eye -which forbade remonstrance. So they toiled on -silently beneath the burning Syrian sky. The -village of Kaukab--which is being interpreted the -village of the Star--was reached, and passed; and -now before them lay the city of Damascus in all its -beauty. "The City of the Paradise of God," for -so has it been called in every age, embowered in -gardens of palm and roses, its walls and towers of -snowy whiteness shining like "a handful of pearls -in a goblet of emerald." A land of flowing streams, -a city of cool fountains, set like a bit of heaven in -the midst of a barren and thirsty land.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The exhausted wayfarers paused for a moment -that they might feast their eyes upon the beauty -of the scene, but Saul, with an imperative gesture, -bade them hasten.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are not come to Damascus as one who -journeyeth for his pleasure," he cried savagely; -"we seek the blood of them that confess the -accursed Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But even as he spoke the sacred name, some -invisible power smote him to the earth; and a great -light, brighter even than the fierce shining of the -noonday sun, blazed round about him. In the -midst of this terrible light he beheld a form upon -which he gazed appalled; then was there the sound -of a voice, and the words were these:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>True to the utter fearlessness of his soul, the -man also has a question to ask, "Who art thou, Lord?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And the answer came clear and decisive, "I am -Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee -to kick against the pricks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then indeed did the strong man tremble, and he -made answer from out the depths of his soul, -"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Arise, go into the city, and it shall be told thee -what thou must do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The majestic presence was gone; the light faded -to the light of an earthly noontide. Yet Saul still -lay upon his face in the dust of the Damascus road. -The men that journeyed with him stood speechless, -staring at one another with livid faces. They had -seen the blazing light, they had heard the strange -and awful sound of a voice, but their eyes had been -holden to the vision of the glorified Jesus.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently Saul arose from the earth, the first -command of his newly-acknowledged Lord ringing -in his ears, "Arise, go into the city." But -when he opened his eyes that he might obey the -words, he opened them upon darkness. He was blind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And they led him by the hand and brought him -into Damascus.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-amulet"><span class="large">CHAPTER XXXVI.</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">THE AMULET.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was high noon in the desert encampment. -The shadows of the palms, which had boldly -displayed themselves in the early cool of the -morning, had gradually retreated before the triumphant -progress of the sun, till now they lay a shrunken -heap about the slender stems of the trees, which -in their turn scarcely dared murmur to their -children of the coming hours, when the burning tyrant -overhead should again be brought low and the -shadows reign triumphant. Through the shimmering -air came the insistent voice of dropping water, -telling over and over again of great depths of -refreshing hid away in the secret places of the rock, -safe from the thirsty ball of fire above, safe from -the hungry sands which crept uneasily to and fro -about the rocky margin of the fountain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The camels crouched in the meagre shade, their -large, heavy-lidded eyes half closed; they heard -and understood both the faint murmur of the palms -and the voice of the water; therefore were they -silent, being satisfied. But from within the tent -of goat's hair close at hand there came the sound -of voices. "These men," grunted an old camel, -"they be forever making a noise with their mouths; -why cannot they be silent, and look and listen as -do we?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This is what the voices were saying:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"God is good, my husband, and as yet I have -scarce had room in my soul for more than the -sense of that goodness which hath snatched me -from the jaws of death, and with life hath also -restored to me the more precious treasure of thy -love. Tell me how it chanced that thou hadst a -hand in our rescue?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is not unknown to thee, beloved, how that -for many months my soul was a very hell of fear -and remorse. I was blood-guilty; I knew that -upon my head rested the blood of an innocent -man; nay more, I knew in my inmost soul that my -crime was yet more deadly--that I, even I, had -condemned to an accursed death the very Son of -God. Yes, I believed; but alas, it was even as the -devils, who believe and tremble and yet--are devils -still. I cast thee forth because thou didst also -believe, I, black-hearted wretch that I was, did -pronounce upon thee a curse, then my angel fled -and the curse recoiled upon mine own head. I will -not tell thee--I cannot--how I tried to strangle -the ever-growing misery in my soul; how I flung -myself, heart and strength, into the deadly -persecutions against them that believed; all the while -with the mean hope that the fire would drive thee -back from the heavenly path which thou wast -climbing into the black road down which I was -plunging alone. I saw and gloried in the death of -Stephen; I gloated over the agonies of them that -suffered beneath the scourge; I outdid Saul of -Tarsus in the work of denouncing men and women -whose only crime it was to believe on God manifest -in the flesh. There is a hell, for I have sojourned there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One day I was told that thou wast in prison; -that on the morrow thou wouldst be scourged--stoned. -Issachar himself told me, with an air of -mock sympathy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'She is less to me,' I declared to him coldly, -'than the stones beneath my feet.' But I lied -when I said it. That night I begged Annas on -my knees to have mercy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'I will have mercy,' he said. 'I will send a -message to the woman within the hour,' and he -called Caleb. I waylaid the man, and offered him -gold to show me the message; he showed it me.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That night I went to my chamber resolved to -die before the light of another day, but each time -that I lifted the dagger to my breast something -seemed to hold my hand. At last I flung it from -me and sank upon my knees, crying aloud, 'God -be merciful to me a sinner! God be merciful to -me a sinner!' Again and again I repeated the -words till at last there came into my soul a great -peace. God was merciful--I knew, I felt it; and -then and there I made confession of all my guilt -before him. 'I am guilty of the blood of him -whom thou didst send to save me,' I cried, 'yet he -prayed in his last agony, saying, Father, forgive -them, for they know not what they do.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I rose up forgiven, and the morning dawned. -'I will go,' I said, 'to the place where she is to -suffer, and there before them all I will make -confession of my guilt and my belief; then shall I die -also.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But when I had come to the place outside the -Damascus Gate--very early, for I could not -wait--I fell in with the man Ben Hesed, and because my -soul was full even to overflowing, I told him all. -'I will die,' I said, 'with them.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Nay,' he cried, 'rather must thou live, that -thou mayest overlay the wickedness of the past -with the pure gold of righteousness.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou knowest the rest, beloved."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the voices ceased for a space, and the -sound of the falling water again filled the stillness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That evening when the shadows were displaying -themselves once more in triumph, and the voice of -the fountain had sunken to a low murmur because -of the more insistent voices of the women who -were filling their jars at its cool brim, Ben Hesed -held converse with them whom he had snatched -from death. Their talk was sweet and comforting, -as of those whose feet had trod the margin of the -river of death, from whose hither bank the traveler -can hear faint echoes of the heavenly melodies of -the redeemed, and where every breeze wafts the -perfume of the blossoming tree of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is good to have been near death," said Mary -of Nazareth, "because it is good to have touched -the boundary of the life more abundant. There -is no terror to them that believe on him that -hath conquered death; 'he that believeth hath -everlasting life.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Afterward, while the day merged slowly into the -night, they told Ben Hesed of all that happened -to them since he had left them in Jerusalem; of -the last days of Stephen, of his death and burial; -of that stern enemy, Saul of Tarsus, and his -unrelenting hatred of them that believed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay," said Anat, after a pause, "I know that -he would have rejoiced truly had we but confessed -as he bade us; there was a look in his eyes that -was not all hatred; perchance God is leading him -into peace by some sure way of his own, even as he -led the Egyptian, Amu. Surely, God's ways are -unsearchable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a true word," said Ben Hesed musingly. -"But tell me of the Egyptian, Amu."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Anat told him how that he had rescued -Stephen from death by the sacrifice of his life, -together with all the story of their own wrong at -his hands. "I would that God had given him one -more breath," said the girl sighing, "for then -would he have told us the name of our mother's -kindred."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked at the clear profile of the girl -as she sat looking away into the afterglow which -still burned dully at the horizon, and a haunting -memory of the past suddenly awakened in his -breast. "Hast thou aught that belonged to thy -mother, maiden?" he said, and there was a strange -thrill in his voice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had anklets of wrought silver when I came -out of Egypt," said Anat slowly, without turning -her head; "also a necklace of coins; but when I -was healed of my blindness I made an offering of -these baubles to the Lord's poor. It was all that -I had to give." Then she was silent for a moment. -"I kept but one piece from the necklace; I -thought that I should like that one small bit of -my mother's past. It is a strange coin."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Show it to me," said Ben Hesed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without a word Anat took from off her neck the -slender chain of wrought silver, from which hung -the one token that bound her to an unknown past.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed took it, his iron fingers trembling -like those of a woman. In that simple amulet lay -a strange power, for no sooner had he examined it -in the fading light, than all else before his bodily -eyes vanished. It was a bright morning now, and -the sun was shining merrily on a caravan of -strangers out of Egypt. He was trading with them, -horses and sheep and cheeses of goat's milk, -receiving in exchange bales of cloth and divers -weapons of war, together with utensils of wrought -brass and jars of pottery.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me also the horse," said the chief -merchant, pointing to the animal which Ben Hesed -himself bestrode. "I will give thee for it a bale of -scarlet and another of fine linen for thy women."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Women of the desert do not wear scarlet nor -fine linen," he answered. "Dekar is the prince of -all the herd; I will not sell."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nay then, I will give thee gold--fifty pieces," -persisted the merchant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give me an hundred," he had said, "and the -beast is thine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the merchant gave him an hundred pieces of -gold for the horse--which was truly a great price, -but he paid it without murmuring for he knew that -he could again sell for a greater to the king of -Egypt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of the gold pieces there was one of strange -device, and this Ben Hesed gave to his eldest-born, -that she might hang it upon her necklace. The -maid was beautiful to look upon, and Ben Hesed -felt for her a great tenderness, which was a thing -quite by itself and apart from the pride which -filled his breast when he looked upon his mighty -sons. The name of this maid was Zarah, which -signifies the Dawn; and truly she was fair and -pure as the first beams of the new day, ere yet -mortals have sullied it with sin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It came to pass--Ben Hesed saw it all once -more because of the wonderful amulet which he -held in his hand--that one day a stranger came -to the encampment alone. He was sick and -exhausted because of the hardness of his journey, and -he begged of Ben Hesed that he might sojourn for a -space with his tribe till he should recover himself. -And Ben Hesed made him welcome, as was ever -his custom, and the stranger tarried many days; -the women also ministered unto him, for he was -both comely and young.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when he was recovered, he came to Ben -Hesed and said to him, "Behold, I have received -kindness at thy hand, and the springs of life are -again strong within me. Now, I pray thee, give -thy servant further of thy bounty; for there is yet -one thing that I would ask of thee."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Ben Hesed said, "Speak, my son, for my -hand is open to satisfy the utmost wish of him that -is an honored guest within my borders."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then the young man bowed himself and said, -"If I have found favor in the sight of my lord, -give to me thy daughter Zarah for my wife; for I -love her with my soul."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ben Hesed looked at the young man long and -earnestly, and his heart went out to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me," he said, "all of thy past; for thou -hast asked of me the most precious thing that I -possess, the maiden who is called the Dawn. -Speak freely, for as my soul liveth, if thou dost -keep back aught that I should know, thou shalt -die accursed!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this the young man groaned aloud; but he -told him how that he had disputed with his brother -over the inheritance, and had smitten him that he -died--for so he believed at the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And when Ben Hesed heard all he rose up, and -his voice was cold and stern. "Go," he said, -"that I see thy face no more. Thinkest thou that -I will give my daughter to one that is a murderer? -Go, lest I fall upon thee in wrath."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he went straightway without a word, but he -found the maiden, Zarah, beside the fountain, and -he told her all that had passed. That night when -all were sleeping, the two rose up and fled away -from the encampment and were seen no more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Ben Hesed found that they were gone, he -said only one word: "My daughter is dead." And -from that time no one durst speak to him of the -matter. But he did not forget, though long years -were passed. And now as he held the coin of -strange device once more in his hand, he knew it -for the token which he had given the maiden, -Zarah, so long ago. And as he looked into the -face of Anat, he saw that the Dawn was again risen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then he called the two, and he told them all the -story, and when he had finished, he said, "Long -ago hath the bitterness passed from my soul; but -there hath remained ever an aching wound which -the years have not healed. God hath given me -many wonderful mercies, but none more wonderful -than this, that the children of my daughter have -returned to her father's house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then they fell on his neck and kissed him; and -all that were in the encampment rejoiced, and the -rejoicing continued many days.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Afterward, by the word of messengers which Ben -Hesed sent to Jerusalem, they learned that the -great persecution was at an end, because that Annas -was now dead, and the others of his family were -too much taken up with disputing over the -inheritance of lands and houses, to trouble themselves -further about the religious beliefs of any man. As -for Saul of Tarsus, strange tales were told of him; -some said that he was dead; others that he was -blind; while others still declared that he had been -rebuked of the Lord in a vision, and that he now -believed. But this tale was not credited of many.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let us return to Jerusalem," said Mary of -Nazareth, "for I would fain know whether my son -John be safe; then there is also the house to be -looked to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they went back to Jerusalem for a space. -Ben Hesed and his grandchildren also.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Anna and her husband went not all the way. -"Jerusalem is hateful to me," said Caiaphas, "and, -moreover, we should be in peril of our lives at the -hand of our kindred. We will go away into -Galilee, for I would fain behold all the places -where the Lord lived and taught, and where also -he passed his childhood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So the two parted from the others after that -they had passed the wilderness, and they traveled -humbly as pilgrims; sojourning long in all the -places where Jesus had been in his life-time; and -this did they for many years, till that Caiaphas -was grown to be an old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am not worthy," he said humbly, "to write -of all that he taught and suffered, that should be -writ by the hand of one that loved him while he -yet lived; but I can gather up the tales that are -told of his sinless childhood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so as they journeyed he made inquiry -everywhere concerning the child Jesus; -insomuch that after a time the children would point -him out and whisper, "Yonder old man is the -prophet of the Child Jesus."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And after many years he made a book of these -tales, and it was called "The Gospel of the -Infancy." He took great pleasure and comfort in -the work, and it occupied all the closing years of -his life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One thing only do I regret," he said to his wife -many times, "and that is that I did not begin this -work while the mother of our Lord yet lived; for -she could have told me whether it be truly set -forth; but now I shall never know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thou wilt know, beloved, afterward," said -Anna, her eyes shining with a wise and tender -light. "For it must needs be that angels watched -with awe each moment of that earth-life; be sure -that it is all writ in heaven."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>STEPHEN</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41655"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41655</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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