Part 5 (1/2)
The time pa.s.sed slowly, but none came to disturb them. Three hours after noon Rachel awoke, refreshed but hungry, and Nehushta had no food to give her except raw grain, from which she turned. Clearly and in few words she told her mistress all that had pa.s.sed, asking her consent to the plan.
”It seems good as another,” said Rachel with a little sigh, ”and I thank you for making it, Nou, and the Ph?nician, if he is a true man. Also I do not desire to meet my father--at least, for many years. How can I, seeing the evil which he has brought upon me?”
”Do not speak of that,” interrupted Nehushta hastily, and for a long while they were silent.
It was an hour before sunset, or a little less, when at length Nehushta saw two persons walk on to the patch of open ground which she watched continually--Amram and a slave who bore a bundle on his head. Just then the rope which bound this bundle seemed to come loose; at least, at his master's command, the man set it down and they began to retie it, then advanced slowly towards the archway. Now Nehushta descended, unlocked the door and admitted Amram, who carried the bundle.
”Where is the slave?” she asked.
”Have no fear, friend; he is trusty and watches without, not knowing why. Come, you must both of you be hungry, and I have food. Help me loose this cord.”
Presently the package was undone, and within it appeared, first, two flagons of old wine, then meats more tasty then Nehushta had seen for months, then rich cloaks and other garments made in the Ph?nician fas.h.i.+on, and a robe of white with coloured edges, such as was worn by the body-slaves of the wealthy among that people. Lastly--and this Amram produced from his own person--there was a purse of gold, enough to support them for many weeks. Nehushta thanked him with her eyes, and was about to speak.
”There, say nothing,” he interrupted. ”I pa.s.sed my word, and I have kept it, that is all. Also on this money I shall charge interest, and your mistress can repay it in happier days. Now listen: I have taken the pa.s.sages, and an hour after sunset we will go aboard. Only I warn you, do not let it be known that you are escaped Christians, for the seamen think that such folk bring them bad luck. Come, help me carry the food and wine. After you have eaten you can both of you retire here and robe yourselves.”
Presently they were on the roof.
”Lady,” said Nehushta, ”we did well to put faith in this man. He has come back, and see what he has brought us.”
”The blessing of G.o.d be on you, sir, who help the helpless!” exclaimed Rachel, looking hungrily at the tempting meats which she so sorely needed.
”Drink,” said Amram cheerfully, as he poured wine and water into a cup; ”it will hearten you, and your faith does not forbid the use of the grape, for have I not heard you styled the society of drunkards?”
”That is only one bad name among many, sir,” said Rachel, as she took the cup.
Then they ate and were satisfied, and afterwards descended into the corn-store to wash with the remainder of the water, and clothe themselves from head to foot in the fragrant and beautiful garments that might have been made for their wear, so well had Amram judged their sizes and needs.
By the time that they were dressed the light was dying. Still, they waited a while for the darkness; then, with a new hope s.h.i.+ning through their fears, crept silently into the street, where the slave, a st.u.r.dy, well-armed fellow, watched for them.
”To the quay,” said Amram, and they walked forward, choosing those thoroughfares that were most quiet. It was well for them that they did this, for now it was known that Agrippa's sickness was mortal, the most of the soldiers were already in a state of mutiny, and, inflamed with wine, paraded the market-places and larger streets, shouting and singing obscene songs, and breaking into the liquor shops and private houses, where they drank healths to Charon, who was about to bear away their king in his evil bark. As yet, however, they had not begun killing those against whom they had a grudge. This happened afterwards, though it has nothing to do with our story.
Without trouble or molestation the party reached the quay, where a small boat with two Ph?nician rowers was waiting for them. In it they embarked, except the slave, and were rowed out to the anchorage to board a large galley which lay half a mile or more away. This they did without difficulty, for the night was calm, although the air hung thick and heavy, and jagged clouds, wind-breeders as they were called, lay upon the horizon. On the lower deck of the galley stood its captain, a sour-faced man, to whom Amram introduced his pa.s.sengers, who were, as he declared, relatives of his own proceeding to Alexandria.
”Good,” said the captain. ”Show them to their cabin, for we sail as soon as the wind rises.”
To the cabin they went accordingly, a comfortable place stored with all that they could need; but as they pa.s.sed to it Nehushta heard a sailor, who held a lantern in his hand, say to his companion:
”That woman is very like one whom I saw in the amphitheatre this morning when they gave the salute to King Agrippa.”
”The G.o.ds forbid it!” answered the other. ”We want no Christians here to bring evil fortune on us.”
”Christians or no Christians, there is a tempest brewing, if I understand the signs of the weather,” muttered the first man.
In the cabin Amram bade his guests farewell.
”This is a strange adventure,” he said, ”and one that I did not look for. May it prove to the advantage of us all. At the least I have done my best for your safety, and now we part.”
”You are a good man,” replied Rachel, ”and whatever may befall us, I pray again that G.o.d may bless you for your kindness to His servants.
I pray also that He may lead you to a knowledge of the truth as it was declared by the Lord and Master Whom we serve, that your soul may win salvation and eternal life.”