Jesus, who had gone to fetch a basin of water and a garment, returned and asked Saddoc and Manahem the cause of their unseemly struggle with their guest.  They replied that their guest had told them he was a prisoner of the Romans.  Even so, Jesus answered, we cannot turn him from our doors.  These men have little understanding, Paul answered.  I’m not a criminal fled from Roman justice, but a man escaped from Jewish persecution.  Why then didst thou say, cried Saddoc, that thou’rt a prisoner of the Romans?  Because I would not be taken to Jerusalem to be tried before the Jews.  I appealed to Caesar, and while waiting on the ship to take me to Italy, Festus gave me leave to come here, for I heard that there were Jews in Jericho of great piety, men unlike the Jews of Jerusalem, who though circumcised in the flesh are uncircumcised in heart and ear.  Of all of this I will tell you to-morrow, and do you tell me now of him that followed me along the cliff.  We saw no one following thee; thou wast alone.  He may have missed me before I turned down the path coming from Jericho.  I speak of Timothy, my beloved son in the faith.  What strange man is this that we entertain for the night?  Saddoc whispered to Manahem.  And if any disciple of mine fall into the hands of the Jews of Jerusalem——­ We know not of what thou’rt speaking, Jesus answered; and it is doubtless too long a story to tell to-night.  I must go at once in search of Timothy, Paul said, and he turned towards the door.  The moon is setting, Jesus cried, and returning to-night will mean thy death over the cliffs edge.  There is no strength in thy legs to keep thee to the path.  I should seek him in vain, Paul answered.  Rest a little while, Jesus said, and drink a little ewe’s milk, and when thou hast drunken I’ll bathe thy feet.

Without waiting for Paul’s assent he knelt to untie his sandals.  We came from Caesarea to Jericho to preach the abrogation of the law.  What strange thing is he saying now?  The abrogation of the law!  Saddoc whispered to Manahem.  The people would not listen to us, and, stirred up by the Jews, they sought to capture us, but we escaped into the hills and hid in a cave that an angel pointed out to us.  Hark, an angel pointed out a cave to him!  Manahem whispered in Saddoc’s ear.  Then he must be a good man, Saddoc answered, but we know not if he speaks the truth.  We have had too many prophets; he is another, and of the same tribe, setting men by the ears.  We have had too many prophets!

Now let me bathe thy feet, which are swollen, and after bathing Paul’s feet Jesus relieved him of his garment and passed a white robe over his shoulders.  Thou’lt sleep easier in it.  They would have done well to hearken to me, Paul muttered.  Thou’lt tell us thy story of ill treatment to-morrow, Jesus said, and he laid Paul back on his pillow, and a moment after he was asleep.

CHAP.  XXXII.