Chapter 25 - Page 2

who had plotted to rob him of love and life; he had begun to doubt the
goodness of the great Lawgiver.

No sooner had he found an enemy than his God was become a god of
vengeance. The council, the continued failure of his prayers, the
cruelty of impending misfortune, the death of Cyran had weakened the
faith of Vergilius. He had begun to founder in the deep mystery of the
world. The voice of the old singer had not broken the spell of bitter
passion. Vergilius trembled with haste to kill. He feared even that
his anger would abate and leave him unavenged. There were memories
which bade him to forgive, and of them was the gentle face of Arria,
but he turned as one who would say "Begone!" He had not time even to
consider what he should do to oppose the will of the emperor. As they
rode on, his companion addressed the young commander.

"Saw you Manius in the balcony of Herod?"

"No."

"As I passed beneath it I saw him by the side of Salome, and I heard
her say: 'Not until you slay him shall I be your wife.' I fear she
means you ill, good friend."

"She-cat!" exclaimed Vergilius. "'Tis a yowling breed that haunts the
house of Herod."

They came soon to where a throng was gathered thick, so for a little
they saw not a way to pass. In the midst were three men sitting upon
tall, white camels, their trappings rich with colored silk and shining
metal.

"They speak, to the people," said David. "It must be their words are
as silver and gold."

"I doubt not they be story-tellers from the desert," said one behind.

The press parted; the camels had begun to move slowly. One of their
riders hailed the young commander, saying, in a voice that rang like a
trumpet:

"Where is he that is born king of the Jews?"

"I would I knew," was the answer of Vergilius.

"So shall ye soon," said the stranger. "We have seen his star in the
east and have come to worship him."

The camels passed with long, stately strides. The horsemen resumed
their journey.

"Strange!" thought Vergilius, turning his charger and looking back.
"They be surely those who have travelled far."

The squad of cavalry, under plume and helmet, moved on, passing the
Joppa gate and riding slowly down a long hill.

"See the glowing clouds yonder," said Vergilius, pointing westward.

"Ay, they be fair as the tents of Kedar," was the answer of David.

"There is a great beauty in the sky and the blue hills," Vergilius
remarked, thoughtfully.

"And you would kill, look not upon them--they are so