But the words were hardly out of his mouth when the soldier seized his arm, and, dragging him to the shelter of a great boulder at a distance, forced him to crouch with him behind it, so that they might see without being seen. And so hidden, they were aware of a shape that came into the firelight, and it was white like a spirit of the hills and waters, and it stretched its hands above the embers, so that they leaped again. And the goatherd heard the soldier mutter in his ear: “A practical man--you say you are a practical man! Now, who is it?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” he answered. But the soldier looked at his javelin and it ran with sunrise. “That cannot be,” he said, “for seven days ago I opened his side with this spear as he hung upon the cross, and there is the blood to testify to it.” “I know nothing about that,” said the goatherd; “my palate is sufficient evidence for me. Look where they come and lay their fish upon my embers. The very savour of their cooking tells me I can taste again. It is Jesus, sure enough!” [The End] TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES The author produced two books titled _Historical Vignettes_: one in 1910 (T. Fisher Unwin, London), and the other in 1912 (Sidgwick & Jackson, London). Being the later, “2nd Series” has been appended to the title to distinguish it from the former (_i.e._ “1st Series”). Minor spelling inconsistencies (_e.g._ birdseller/bird-seller, etc.) have been preserved. Alterations to the text: Abandon the usage of drop-caps. [Title page] Add “2nd Series” to the book title. (See above). [The Princess Elizabeth] Change “... when the Earl came home. _prepared_ to attend...” to _Prepared_. [James II] “_Abaddie_, the valet, was a loyal but fibreless” to _Abbadie_. [George III] “Of a sudden _be_ became aware... was all about him again” to _he_. [End of text]