Evening star., 1926-11-24

I tucking his knife away. 'It chanced
that l was hiding. My servant came
and told me to run for my life-that
the guards were pursuing an enemy.
So ran. picking up the Pharisee by
the way"
With Aaron and Jared he went to
the fire. where the other refugees
were falling asleep. The shepherd
took Jared's place in the alcove. and
| the cave settled down again to quiet
Antonius awakened. much re-
| freshed, at the sound of voices about
| him.
us it morning." he asked.
One of the villagers pointed to an
| oval of light that lay upon the floor.
shining from the slit in the alcove.
| The soldier blinked and sat un. With
| a friendly smile at the Arabian. he
called for water, to wash his face and
| hands.
A hand.maiden from Jared's house.
| hold brought him a basin. Maryam
coming with her.
There is a spring in the farther
end Of the cave" Maryam explained.
as the soldier splashed the cold water
| upon his face.
She gave him a linen cloth to dry
| himself. Strange word has come
from Jezreel," she said. Another
| neighbor has arrived. and he says that
only four Arabians were in the party
that fought Hercsd's guards"
Antonius reached over and touched
the chiefs knee. Pointing to the
others garment, then toward the vii.
| lage, he held up four fingers inquir.
ingly. The Arabian smiled broadly.
and nodded.
This chieftain knew about the at.
tack, though he was not there" the
soldier said to Maryam. And he
l. <La%
| the guard. l think he planned 1t"
He questioned the chief with his
eyes, and pointed at him.
Your" he asked. You? Did you
plan the attack"
The Arabian's face was puzzled for
a moment, and then lighted. He made
a negative movement, and with his
foref1nger touched his forehead again,
and then, with his palm, rubbed his
chest, pointing Immediately to a cir.
clet of gold that he wore around his
Wrist.
Ellis forehead, and a gold breastplate
obi" Antonius spoke triumphantly.
HE means Omar! The emerald on
his forehead. You know. and his
golden armor."
"Then," the girl said de5ectedly.
"there Is something wrong. fear
Omar, and all he does:
women, her head low.
Across the cavern from Antonius,
a dozen men were sitting in a circle,
talking earnestly. The platters and
cups beside them showed that they
had breakfasted. The sight reminded
the soldier that he was hungry, and
he raised his voice in. a demand for
food.
The same maid who had brought
hosjn. copoo with y1otfor of
bread, cheese. olives and dried figs.
which she set on the ground between
Antonius and the Arabian. Both
dipped their hands into the dish, and
ate with appetite. A man.servant
brought a jug Of milk. The chief
poured his portion Of the drink into
a cup that lay beside him. Antonius
tilted the jug and drank from 1t:
IF you could only speak Latin. or
the tongue Of these people here" An.
tonius said, sociably, I'VE could have
pleasant times together"
The chief smiled at him, but he did
not answer.
Never mind don't speak," the
soldier went on. II know you don't
understand, but I like to talk. any
way"
He finished his meal, and wiped his
hands on the towel the maid had left
him.
None Of the villagers. except his
three acquaintances, had approached
him. Two of these-Jared and
Aaron--were missing, but he espied
Ezra, leaning against shoulder of
rock. a..
Where are my friends?" he called.
across the cave.
Ezra arose, and was coming to him.
when a noise outside halted him. He
gave an exclamation, and drew back.
A man with a bright-striped mantle
hurried into the room, followed by
three others.
All were armed, with swords and
lances. The villagers tumbled hastily
to far corner Of the cave, with cries
Of fear. Antonius drew his sword.
your men," he said to the chief.
pointing.
The newcomers hesitated. and then
hurled themselves at Antonius with a
shout.
Continued in Tomorrow'S Star)