Part 4 (2/2)
”Of that I am quite aware--you have said so several times. I have pa.s.sed my words, and I do not go back upon my bargains. The stars are with you, and, come what may, I obey them.”
Accordingly they ascended to the roof, Amram going first, Nehushta following him, and Rachel bringing up the rear. On it, projecting inward from the parapet, was a sloping shelter once made use of by the look-out sentry in bad or hot weather. The change from the stifling store below with its stench of ill-cured hides, to this lofty, shaded spot, where the air moved freely, was so pleasant to Rachel, outworn as she was with all she had gone through, that presently she fell asleep, not to wake again till evening. Nehushta, however, who did not go to sleep, and Amram, employed themselves in watching the events that pa.s.sed in the city below. From this height they could see the great square surrounding the palace, and the strange scenes being enacted therein. It was crowded by thousands of people, for the most part seated on the ground, clad in garments of sack-cloth and throwing dust upon the heads of themselves, their wives and children. From all this mult.i.tude a voice of supplication rose to heaven, which, even at that distance, reached the ears of Nehushta and her companion in a murmur of sound, constant and confused.
”They pray that the king may live,” said Amram.
”And I pray that he may die,” answered Nehushta.
The merchant shrugged his shoulders. ”I care nothing either way, provided that the peace is not disturbed to the injury of trade. On the whole, however, he is a good king who causes money to be spent, which is what kings are for--in Judaea--where they are but feathers puffed up by the breath of Caesar, to fall if he cease to blow. But look!”
As he spoke, a figure appeared upon the steps of the palace who made some communication to the crowd, whereon a great wail went up to the very skies.
”You have your wish,” said Amram; ”Herod is dead or dying, and now, I suppose, as his son is but a child, that we shall be ruled by some accursed thief of a Roman procurator with a pocket like a sack without a bottom. Surely that old bishop of yours who preached in the amphitheatre this morning, must have had a hint of what was coming, from his familiar spirit; or perhaps he saw the owl and guessed its errand. Moreover, I think that troubles are brewing for others besides Herod, since the old man said as much.
”What became of him and the rest?” asked Nehushta.
”Oh! a few were trampled to death, and others the Jews stirred up the mob to stone, saying that they had bewitched the king, which they, who were disappointed of the games, did gladly. Some, however, are said to have escaped, and, like yourselves, lie in hiding.”
Nehushta glanced at her mistress, now fast asleep, her pale face resting on her arm.
”The world is hard--for Christians,” she said.
”Friend, it is hard for all, as, were I to tell you my own story, even you would admit,” and he sighed. ”At least you Christians believe in something beyond,” he went on; ”for you death is but a bridge leading to a glorious city, and I trust that you may be right. Is not your mistress delicate?”
Nehushta nodded.
”She was never very strong, and sorrow has done its work with her. They killed her husband at Berytus yonder, and--her trouble is very near.”
”Yes, yes, I heard that story, also that his blood is on the hands of her own father, Benoni. Ah! who is so cruel as a bigot Jew? Not we Ph?nicians even, of whom they say such evil. Once I had a daughter”--here his hard face softened--”but let be, let be! Look you, the risk is great, but what I can do I will do to save her, and you also, friend, since, Libyan or no, you are a faithful woman. Nay, do not doubt me. I have given my word, and if I break it willingly, then may I perish and be devoured of dogs. My s.h.i.+p is small and undecked. In that she shall not sail, but a big galley weighs for Alexandria to-night, calling at Apollonia and Joppa, and in it I will take you pa.s.sages, saying that the lady is a relative of mine and that you are her slave.
This is my advice to you--that you go straight to Egypt, where there are many Christians who will protect you for a while. Thence your mistress can write to her father, and if he will receiver her, return. If not, at least she will be safe, since no writ of Herod runs in Alexandria, and there they do not love the Jews.”
”Your counsel seems good,” said Nehushta, ”if she will consent to it.”
”She must consent who, indeed, is in no case to make other plans. Now let me go. Before nightfall I will return again with food and clothing, and lead you to the s.h.i.+p.”
Nehushta hesitated.
”I say to you, do not fear. Will you not trust me?”
”Yes,” answered Nehushta, ”because I must. Nay, the words are not kind, but we are sadly placed, and it is strange to find a true friend in one whom I have threatened with a knife.”
”I understand,” said Amram gravely. ”Let the issue prove me. Now descend that you may lock the door behind me. When I return I will stand in the open s.p.a.ce yonder with a slave, making pretence to re-bind a burst bundle of merchandise. Then come down and admit me without fear.”
When the Ph?nician had gone Nehushta sat by her sleeping mistress, and waited with an anxious heart. Had she done wisely? Would Amram betray them and send soldiers to conduct them, not to the s.h.i.+p, but to some dreadful death? Well, if so, at least she would have time to kill her mistress and herself, and thus escape the cruelties of men. Meanwhile she could only pray; and pray she did in her fierce, half-savage fas.h.i.+on, never for herself, but for her mistress whom she loved, and for the child that, she remembered thankfully, Anna had foretold would be born and live out its life. Then she remembered also that this same holy woman had said that its mother's hours would be few, and at the thought Nehushta wept.
CHAPTER IV
THE BIRTH OF MIRIAM
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