Another pair of cocks was already in the ring:  two young birds trained to the finest distinction, and they sparred so lustily that even the experts could not predict the victor.  But there was no heart in Joseph for more cock-fighting, and he viewed with disgust the mean vile faces that leered at him while he thanked them for the occasion which he owed them of overlooking so much fine sport.  But they were a scurvy lot, viler than he had supposed, though he had suspected from the first that they were nurturing some trick against him.  And he searched himself, for he would willingly give them money to be rid of them.  But how much will they accept? he asked himself, as he searched his pockets ... his money was gone!  Stolen, no doubt, but by whom?  By the cockers standing around him, quarrelling and railing at each other, levelling accusations right and left—­the Heeler wrangling with Lydia, saying it was she that had asked the young penniless to come with them.  A mercy it was that he didn’t call me a ragamuffin, Joseph said to himself.  He was not without some apprehension that they might detain him till a ransom was paid, and right glad to perceive himself free to go:  having gotten his money they wished to be rid of him quietly; and he too, wishing to avoid attracting attention, slunk out of Tiberias without laying complaint before the magistrate.

It was unlikely that his money would be found upon the thieves and his father would be very angry indeed if he were obliged to go to Tiberias to bear witness to the truth of his story that his son, while on his way to his tutor’s—­Joseph stopped to consider the eventualities, and he heard in imagination the tale unfolding.  Azariah might be called!  And if he were, he would tell he had been kept waiting all day, and the jealous neighbours would be glad to send round to commiserate with his father.  It seemed to Joseph that he had escaped lightly with the loss of a few shekels.  But what reason should he give for coming home so late?  He’d have to say where he had spent the day.  Azariah would tell of his absence from his lessons.  Ah, if he had foreseen all these worries, he wouldn’t have gone to Tiberias....  Should he say he had been out fishing on the lake?  The fishers would not betray him, but they might; and he could not bring himself to tell his father a lie.  So did he argue with himself as he walked, saying that he had not done worse than—­But what had happened at home?  Something must have happened, for the gates were open.  The gate-keeper, where was he?  And his wonder increased as he reached the house, for all the servants seemed to be running to and fro.  The Lord be praised for sending you back to us! they exclaimed.  You thought then that the Lord had taken me from you?  Joseph asked, and the man replied that they had been searching for him all day—­sending messengers hither and thither, and that in the afternoon a boat had hoisted sail and put out for the fishing fleet, thinking that Simon Peter might be able to give tidings of Master Joseph.  But why all this fuss?  Joseph said, because I come home a little later than usual.  Your father, Master Joseph, is beside himself, and your grandmother—­Joseph left the man with the end of the sentence on his tongue.