In it they
embarked, except the slave, and were rowed out to the anchorage to board
a large galley which lay half a mile or more away. This they did without
difficulty, for the night was calm, although the air hung thick and
heavy, and jagged clouds, wind-breeders as they were called, lay upon
the horizon. On the lower deck of the galley stood its captain, a
sour-faced man, to whom Amram introduced his passengers, who were, as he
declared, relatives of his own proceeding to Alexandria.
"Good," said the captain. "Show them to their cabin, for we sail as soon
as the wind rises."
To the cabin they went accordingly, a comfortable place stored with all
that they could need; but as they passed to it Nehushta heard a sailor,
who held a lantern in his hand, say to his companion:
"That woman is very like one whom I saw in the amphitheatre this morning
when they gave the salute to King Agrippa."
"The gods forbid it!" answered the other. "We want no Christians here to
bring evil fortune on us."
"Christians or no Christians, there is a tempest brewing, if I
understand the signs of the weather," muttered the first man.
In the cabin Amram bade his guests farewell.
"This is a strange adventure," he said, "and one that I did not look
for.
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