At the end of a long silence Jesus said:  the dawn begins; look, Joseph, the stars are not shining as brightly over the Jericho hills as they were.  But Joseph could not see that the stars were dimmer.  Are they not with-drawing?  Jesus asked, and then, forgetful of the stars, his thoughts went to the puppies:  see how they crouch and tremble under the wall of the garth, he said.  There must be a wolf about, he said, and after he had thrown a stone to hasten the animal’s departure he began to talk to the puppies, telling them they need have no fear of wolves, for when they were full-grown and were taught by him they would not hold on but snap and snap again.  That is how the Thracian dogs fight, like the wolves, he said, turning to Joseph.  He is thinking, Joseph said to himself, of sheep and dogs and being a shepherd again.  But of-what art thou thinking, Joseph?—­of that strip of green sky which is the dawn?  I can see, now, that thy shepherd eyes did not deceive thee, Joseph answered.  The day begins again; and how wonderful is the return of the day, hill after hill rising out of the shadow.  An old land, he said, like the end of the world.  Why like the end of the world?  Jesus asked.  Joseph had spoken casually; he regretted the remark, and while he sought for words that would explain it away a train of camels came through the dusk rocking up the hillside, swinging long necks, one bearing on its back what looked like a gigantic bird.  A strange burden, Joseph said, and what it may be I cannot say, but the camels are my camels, and thou art safe out of sight under the wall of this garth.

A moment after the word that the master had bidden a halt was passed up the line, and one of the camel-drivers said:  she stopped half-an-hour ago to drop her young one, and we put him on the dam’s back, and she doesn’t feel his weight.  We shall rest for an hour between this and Jerusalem, and when we lift him down he’ll find the dug.  But I’ve a letter for you, Master, from Gaddi, who wishes to see you.  I thought to deliver it in Jerusalem.  It was fortunate to meet you here.  Gaddi will see you half-a-day sooner than he hoped for.  I shall get to him by midday, Joseph said, raising his eyes from the letter.  By midday, Master?  Why, in early morning I should have thought for, unless, indeed, you bide here till the innkeeper opens his doors.  I have business, Joseph answered, with the Essenes that have settled in a cave above the Brook Kerith.  About whom, the camel-driver interjected, there be much talk going in Jericho.  They’ve disputed among themselves, some remaining where they always were on the eastern bank of the Jordan, but ten or a dozen going to the Brook Kerith, with Hazael for their president.  And for what reason?  Joseph inquired.  I have told you, Master, all I know, and since you be going to the Brook Kerith the brethren themselves will give reasons better than I can, even if I had heard what their reasons be for differing among themselves.  Whereupon Joseph bade his caravan proceed onward to Jerusalem.