"I have fished in this lake all my life," remarked James, the brother of John, "and so has my father, Zebedee, but I have never seen so few fish for a night's work!" Andrew felt as disgusted as Simon and James, but all he said was, "Let's go ashore." James and Andrew guided the boats toward the spot where Zebedee had built a fire of thorn twigs. The men jumped out and crowded around the crackling flames. Zebedee had chosen several fish for their breakfast. He raked some hot coals from the fire and laid the fish among them. They smelled good to the hungry men. This was the best time of the fishermen's day. Hard work was done. The fire was warm. The thought of food gave them a good feeling. "Father, why is fishing so poor this year?" asked John. "I don't know, son," replied Zebedee. "Some years there are enough fish for all Galilee and Judea. But in years like this, the people of the five cities on our lake go hungry." He was thinking of times past. "If the wheat crop is poor in Galilee, there may be riots." "That would only make matters worse," commented Simon. "Yes, unless King Herod has improved lately." Zebedee smiled sourly. "I think that foreigner actually enjoys killing. How he loves our money! If riots come, we are sure to be taxed even more." He took two of the fish off the coals and laid them on a smooth rock. When they were cool enough, he picked them up. "Breakfast is ready," he said. The men rose and bowed their heads, while the older man prayed. "Praise ye the Lord. I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, In the council of the upright, and in the congregation. He hath given food unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his promise. Holy and reverend is his name. Amen." While they ate, James asked, "Father, who is in the other boat this morning?" Zebedee hired men to work for him. "Old Gideon the farmer, with our new man, a gentile from Sidon." "Why in the world did you hire a gentile, father?" asked John sharply. "Well, son, he is young and strong. He is willing to work for us." He paused. "But I couldn't help wondering where he came from." "Did you ask him?" "No. He wouldn't answer questions about himself. But he knew fishing." John shook his head. "I don't like it, father. Jews have no business working with gentiles. And besides, if he is a runaway slave, we might get into trouble." "Now look, son. Half the people in Galilee are gentiles. Every day we see them. What harm is there in working with them?" "Here comes the other boat," said Simon. The sun was driving away the mist; Simon pointed to a fishing boat drawing closer to the shore. "Did you do any better than we did, Gideon?" called Zebedee. As the old farmer came toward them, the men could tell that his body was rugged in spite of stooped shoulders. "No better; maybe worse. It's getting as hard to make a living on the lake as by plowing the land."