The Essenes, understanding that the lamb had caused Jesus a long search, went after Amos as they were bidden, and finding him not as far as they thought for with his flock, they related to him Jesus’ request that he should bring some ewe’s milk at once, which he did, and seeing Jesus in deep sleep he said:  it is a pity to waken him, for I know how to feed a lamb as well as he does.  May I not?  But the Essenes said:  he’ll be vexed indeed if the lamb be fed by any but him.  So be it, Amos answered; and they roused Jesus with difficulty, for his sleep was deep, and when he opened his eyes he knew not where he was for some time.  At last memory returned to him, and, struggling from the couch, he said:  I must feed my lamb.  The milk is fresh from the ewe? he asked.  Yes, Jesus, Amos answered, I have just drawn it from the udder.  As soon as he is old enough to run with the flock I’ll bring him, Jesus said, and thou’lt be free to return to the Scriptures.

And having asked that he might be awaked in four hours his eyes closed, which is not to be wondered at, he having slept hardly at all for four days.  Does he put his lamb before the Scriptures? the Essenes asked each other, and they withdrew, shaking their heads.

CHAP.  XXVII.

Jesus fell back into sleep as soon as the lamb was fed, and it was in this second sleep of more than six hours that he regained his natural strength.  Has Joseph returned? he asked on awakening, and the brother nearest him answered that he had not; whereupon Jesus asked that Hazael should come to him, and he said to him:  Hazael, Joseph told thee that as soon as his business was transacted in Jericho he would return hither, and if that were not possible the delay would not be long.  But four days have passed and we haven’t seen him nor have we news of him.  Now how is this?  He couldn’t have heard in Jericho nor in Jerusalem of my faring among the hills of Caesarea in search of a lamb.  It was only on those hills that I might find a lamb that would recover for us the strength that has gone out of the flock.  And I would that Joseph were here to see him that I’ve brought back.  My heart misgives me.  Thou’lt feed him in my absence, he said to one of the brethren, and I’ll go down on to the terraces and wander across the bridge, for on the hills over yonder I may catch sight of Joseph coming to meet me.  Can none tell me if he will come from Jericho or Jerusalem?  A brother cried that he would feed the lamb as Jesus directed, and the brethren at work among the fig-trees spoke to each other of the grief visible on Jesus’ face as he passed them and questioned each other and sought a reason for it.  Has the lamb fallen sick? one asked, and on that thought they ran up the terraces to inquire for the lamb, who, that day, had been given the name of Caesar.  The lamb sleeps in peace, Hazael answered, but Jesus, his saviour, has gone out in great disorder of mind to get tidings of Joseph, the great trader in figs and dates.  He promised to return the same evening after transacting his business in Jericho, Hazael continued.  Four days have passed away without news of him; some misfortune may have befallen him.  May have!  Hazael repeated under his breath as he walked away. Has befallen him without doubt.