The eyes of these
simple folk glistened at the prospect of so much wealth, and they agreed
readily, promising also to stay three months by Jericho, if need were,
till the child could be weaned. So a man was hired to guard the house
and vines, and they started in the late autumn, when the air was cool
and pleasant.
Of their journey nothing need be said, save that they accomplished it
without trouble, being too humble in appearance to attract the notice of
the thieves who swarmed upon the highways, or of the soldiers who were
set to catch the thieves.
Skirting Jerusalem, which they did not enter, on the sixth day they
descended into the valley of the Jordan, through the desolate hills by
which it is bordered. Camping that night outside the town, at daybreak
on the seventh morning they started, and by two hours after noon came to
the village of the Essenes. On its outskirts they halted, while Nehushta
and the nurse, bearing with them the child, that by now could wave its
arms and crow, advanced boldly into the village, where it would appear
men dwelt only--at least no women were to be seen--and asked to be led
to the Brother Ithiel.
The man to whom they spoke, who was robed in white, and engaged in
cooking outside a large building, averted his eyes in answering, as
though it were not lawful for him to look upon the face of a woman.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79