Part 8 (2/2)
”Doubtless. You do not often miss. You have a good eye and a steady hand. Well, the loss of a shaft will not matter, since I noticed, also, that this one was differently barbed from the others, and double feathered; a true Roman war-shaft, such as they do not make here. If any find your wounded beast you will not get its hide, since it is known that you do not use such arrows.” Then, with a smile that was full of meaning, Nehushta turned and entered the house, leaving him staring after her, half in wrath and half in wonder at her wit.
”What does she mean?” he asked Miriam, but in the voice of one who speaks to himself.
”She thinks that you shot at a man, not at a beast,” replied Miriam; ”but I know well that you could not have done this, since that would be against the rule of the Essenes.”
”Even the rule of the Essenes permits a man to protect himself and his property from thieves,” he answered sulkily.
”Yes, to protect himself if he is attacked, and his property--if he has any. But neither that faith nor mine permits him to avenge a blow.”
”I was one against many,” he answered boldly. ”My life was on the hazard: it was no coward's act.”
”Were there, then, a troop of these hyenas?” asked Miriam, innocently.
”I thought you said it was a solitary beast that took the sheep.”
”It was a whole company of beasts who took the wine, and smote those in charge of it as though they were street dogs.”
”Hyenas that took wine like the tame ape whom the boys make drunken over yonder----”
”Why do you mock me,” broke in Caleb, ”who must know the truth? Or if you do not know it, here it is. That thief beat me with his staff, and called me the son of a dog, and I swore that I would pay him back. Pay him back I did, for the head of that shaft which Nehushta noted, stands out a span beyond his neck. They never saw who shot it; they never saw me at all, who thought at first that the man had fallen from his horse.
By the time they knew the truth I was away where they could not follow.
Now go and tell the story if you will, or let Nehushta, who hates me, tell it, and give me over to be tortured by the servants of the high priest, or crucified as a murderer by the Romans.”
”Neither Nehushta nor I saw this deed done, nor shall we bear witness against you, Caleb, or judge you, who doubtless were provoked by violent and lawless men. Yet, Caleb, you told me that you came out to warn us, and it grieves me to learn that the true wish of your heart was to take the life of a man.”
”It is false,” he answered angrily; ”I said that I came to warn you, and afterwards to kill a hyena. To make you safe--that was my first thought, and until you were safe my enemy was safe also. Miriam, you know it well.”
”Why should I know it? To you, Caleb, I think revenge is more than friends.h.i.+p.”
”Perhaps; for I have few friends who am a penniless orphan brought up by charity. But, Miriam, to me revenge is not more than--love.”
”Love,” she stammered, turning crimson to her hair and stepping back a pace; ”what do you mean, Caleb?”
”What I say, neither more nor less,” he answered sullenly. ”As I have worked one crime to-day, I may as well work two, and dare to tell the lady Miriam, the Queen of the Essenes, that I love her, though she loves not me--as yet.”
”This is madness,” faltered Miriam.
”Mayhap, but it is a madness which began when first I saw you--that was soon after we learned to speak--a madness which will continue until I cease to see you, and that shall be soon before I grow silent forever.
Listen, Miriam, and do not think my words only those of a foolish boy, for all my life shall prove them. This love of mine is a thing with which you must reckon. You love me not--therefore, even had I the power, I would not force myself upon you against your will; only I warn you, learn to love no other man, for then it shall go ill either with him or with me. By this I swear it,” and, s.n.a.t.c.hing her to him, Caleb kissed her on the forehead, then let her go, saying, ”Fear not. It is the first and last time, except by your own will. Or if you fear, tell the story to the Court of the Essenes, and--to Nehushta, who will right your wrongs.”
”Caleb,” she gasped, stamping her foot upon the ground in anger, ”Caleb, you are more wicked than I dreamed, and,” she added, as though to herself--”and greater!”
”Yes,” he answered, as he turned to go, ”I think that you are right. I am more wicked than you dreamed and--greater. Also, Miriam, I love you as you will never be loved again. Farewell!”
CHAPTER VII
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