Chapter 28

The astounding and unwelcome news of Prince Deran’s miraculous recovery, after the country had thought itself well rid of him, travelled fast and far. The Councillors met informally in the venerable Dumah’s encampment, but found no cure for their dilemma. Only one opinion was unanimously agreed upon: the Jews should mind their own business.

But if the Councillors had no plan to alleviate the tragic situation, the ‘Sons of Ishmael’ thought they might give aid. This exclusive and secretive organization was composed of the sons and adult grandsons and nephews of influential tribal chiefs who ran the caravans from Arabia to the port cities. These long and dangerous journeys conducting flocks and herds, hides and wool, to far-away Damascus and Caesarea and Gaza, menaced by well-equipped bands of robbers, demanded the safeguarding of fearless men. It was an honour to be chosen for this perilous business, and the young fellows who undertook it were indeed a tough aggregation.

Now that winter was coming, most of the caravans had returned from their expeditions, and the ‘Sons of Ishmael’ were having some free time. On the second day after the Prince was restored, word was passed from camp to camp announcing a secret meeting for the following night in the tent of Jeshri, their leader. After an hour’s conference, Jeshri, in their presence, filled a quiver with thirty arrows, which was the number of men present. All the arrows but one were made for target-practice. The exception was tipped with a long, slim finger of steel, sharpened to a needlepoint.

Jeshri walked out of the tent and into the moonlight, and mounted his horse. A half-mile up the trail he halted beside a large oak-tree; and, still mounted, drove a nail at the height of his shoulder, hung up the quiver, and returned to camp. One by one, at intervals of a few minutes, the silent men mounted their horses and set out for home. As each man passed the quiver, he paused to take an arrow.

Late in the afternoon of the following day, Prince Deran’s sorrel mare arrived at her paddock, riderless.

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