Evening star., 1926-12-05
= 9 . : Gaf1a :, :
t01026. by Eueaae NocIean. }

"And If they can lead us to this
Omar" he said, gritting his teeth,
"IIl-he f1ourished his own dagger
again.
Night had fallen when the folk Of
Jezreel, stumbling and weary, reached
the camp. Antonius had told his
story in full to his commander. That
officer, much impressed, ordered food
made ready for the refugees and walt
ed until they had eaten before he be-
gan to question them.
Antonius lay apart, comrade
guarding him. He could see the dark
forms of the men and women moving
before the fire, and he recognized the
wounded Arabian chief. who arrived
last, carried by his servant.
One by one, he saw the villagers
called before the officer.
At length, one of them came toward
him, waved thither by the centurion.
1t was Aaron, who sank down at
his side.
Good soldier" he said, II am worn
and faint, but 1 could not sleep with
out thanking you. We know what
heroic feats you did for us, and
Antonius interrupted him. The
feats were not heroic" he denied. ~
is my trade to fight. Tell me what
DSlGII you al Lie CdNC.
The old shepherd sighed. Brave
Ezra is dead" he said.
"Dead?"
Locked arm in arm with guard
The elder was on ledge. the
guardsman assailed him. The two
fell together and died"
"And Jared?"
wounded in the side, but he will
recover. The Arabian chief and his
man did great deeds, fighting without
pause for seven hours. before the
guards withdrew for rest"
Splendid warrior" commented An
tonius 'Is Maryam safe?"
"She tainted with hunger and loss
of sleep," said Aaron, when she
reached this camp. But she has re-
vived."
The centurion was coming toward
them Aaron arose, and bowling, re-
turned to his companions.
"Antonius," said the officer, you
will not be free from arrest until the
general absolves you. But you may
resume your arms"
He picked up the soldiers shield
and sword and passed them to him.
"You have done bravely and well"
he said. Every villager confirms
your tale, and the Arabian chieftain
says it was you who sought to slay
him at the Jordan. struck down three
of his men in the inn and urged on
Laila when she did battle with him
and stabbed him. Herod's complaint
against you still lies open, but when
the general hears what transpired you
and your companions will go free
except, of course, the Arabians."
The soldier sighed. 1.-THE tribesmen
are my brothers of the sword" he
pleaded
"They are enemies of Caesar" pro-
nounced the officer.
When morning came messengers
went forward to the Roman COM
mander at Antioch, with a full recital
from the centurion, written on roll
Of parchment. The officer also sent
Aaron to answer questions the general
might ask touching upon the territory
and the people.
Herod's troops camped a little way
down the mountainside. The vii
layers, detained until orders should
come from Caesars deputy, remained
as nominal prisoners. They occupied
themselves in resting from their long
strain. Additional food was brought
from the village, and wives of the men
who had been besieged were permitted
to come and clasp their menfolk to
their bosoms.
Antonius, comfortably sprawled upon
a heap of thick mantles. lay under a
ledge of rock as protection from the
occasional showers. He ate hugely
and drank deep.
Twice Maryam came to sit beside
him, shyly, but was driven away by
the wfnks and mods and laughter of
the other soldiers.
He ragged and uttered mighty
threats against his companions, but
they only roared the louder. At
length he gave in and good-humoredIy
parried their gibes with rough jests
of his own.
Between sleeping and gorging him.
self, he mapaged to pass a satisfac-
tory day.
At evening, dressed In a fresh tunic
and mantle, given him from a store
that was carried by a pack animal,
his face shaved, and his hair cut to
the stubby bristling length favored by
the army, he asked that the wounded
Arabian chief be brought to him, with
an interpreter.
The tribesman. smiling, was laid on
the ground beside him. At the same
moment a hand fell softly on his
shoulder.
Il will interpret" said a woman's
voice.
Antonius looked up. startled. 1t was
Laila.