“Sir Knight, thou wilt live to tell others that a once hated Jew was led of thee to truth, and after died a living death, that his benefactors might survive. I think such deeds cause noble lights to glow in human souls.” “God bless and pity thee, Ichabod.” “Ah, he does; even now. I see the scarlet line of Rahab, and it binds the pestilence that walketh by noonday.” The furious pursuers spurred their steeds up toward the tombs, but as they beheld the solitary man, sitting in painful attitude with beggar-like palm extended and wearing the dread sign, they rapidly wheeled their steeds about and galloped away. The Moslem had heard that a Jew would suffer any torture rather than ceremonial pollution; hence judged that the object before them could not be the refugee they sought. “I wonder not that the demoniac cut himself madly when among the tombs, good Jew. Sure it’s like going to glory to get out once more. Methinks freedom is only sweet when taken with fresh air! Well, we are out and the enemy thwarted.” “Methinks, master, that the leper that died here, leaving no legacy but the sign of his death, did some good in unknowingly making me his heir.” “And the corpse I disposed of so unceremoniously left me a house of safety, though small and musty. I’ve a bitter thought.” “So, Sir Charleroy, tell it me, perhaps I can sweeten it.” “I, the heir for a little time of that soulless clay, am like it.” “Not much being here and alive.” “I rather think like it. See me tossed about by strangers, robbed of my rights, helpless to resist fate’s tides, begrudged the room I occupy, and not one who once knew me to weep over my besetments.” “Sir Knight, the miracles of our frequent preservation should make our murmurings dumb.” In the evening Jordan ebbed a little and the two wanderers passed over. Nor did they regret the consequent immersing in its flood. No word was spoken as they passed through the current, for, before they entered, having remembered that at this Bethabara ford man’s Savior was baptized, they were each busy with his own meditations. When they stood on the other shore, Sir Charleroy reverently said: “Comrade, I prayed as we passed that we might have the dove of peace henceforth above our souls at least.” “I prayed on my part that God would accept the act as the Christian’s typical burial to the world and separation from its sins.” “How like death and birth is that beautiful type. They level all life.” “Are our lives leveled? knight.” “Henceforth; and we are brethren.” “And our King and Savior was baptized here by the herald of His Kingdom, John?” “Yea; here the new Judaism was formally inaugurated. Tradition says also that Jesus baptized his mother afterward at this ford.” “How filial; how beautiful; how expressive! He was her God, yet her son, she his mother and disciple; and each by all ties and forms bound together in a fellowship of helpfulness.” “The Jew’s an interpreter.”