Chapter 29

Suddenly two young horsemen had appeared on the wharf. Voldi had run down the gangway to greet them. The three friends had held a brief parley. Then Voldi had slowly returned, followed by the visitors, who explained to Fara why Voldi could not leave the country. His fellow Councillors had just appointed him King of Arabia. She had taken Voldi’s hands in hers and had tried to smile. Then Voldi had put his arms around her, had kissed her tenderly, before them all, and had whispered something into her ear; and she had nodded her head. And he had whispered to her again, and she had shaken her head. Then he had followed his friends down the gangway. His horse had been brought up from the hold. Fara had disappeared, probably to her cabin. Captain Polemus had shouted an order. The mainsail was creeping up. The Antonia edged away from the wharf.

It would take Peter all forenoon to remember that scene in its every detail. In the afternoon, he would decide to review the voyage, the long talks with Captain Polemus and with Fara, who tried to be cheerful, but the sight of whose eyes made his heart ache.

Peter had made no secret of his devotion to his Master and his firm belief in the early victory of the Kingdom. Weather-beaten old Polemus had listened respectfully, but shook his grey head. It was a pleasant dream, he would admit. It would be a happy day for the world when all men were brothers, but Polemus didn’t expect to live so long.

‘You’d better be careful who you talk to about this,’ he cautioned. ‘You’re safe enough with me, of course. I like to hear you tell of this Jesus. He must have been a great man. But this idea of a new Kingdom—you’d do better to keep that to yourself…Of course, in Athens you won’t be in much danger. The Empire doesn’t care what they talk about in Athens.’

‘And why is that?’ Peter had wanted to know.

‘Oh, Athens is full of windy old philosophers who spend their time sitting in the park on Mars Hill, talking all manner of nonsense. Not meaning,’ Polemus was quick to add, ‘that what you believe is nonsense; but you can say almost anything you like in Athens, and nobody will take you seriously…I’ll wager you could make a public speech predicting that the Empire would collapse tomorrow, and even the Roman patrols wouldn’t bother you.’

‘But—isn’t there a Christian Ecclesia in Athens?’ Peter had inquired.

‘I suppose so,’ drawled Polemus. ‘Almost everywhere now there is an organization of these Christians. And some of them have to be cautious; but not in Athens. I’m glad you are going there. Now if it was Rome, I’d advise you to stay away. They’re making it mighty tough for these poor people in Rome.’

Peter hadn’t felt much complimented by the Captain’s friendly counsel to avoid all danger.

‘Perhaps that’s where I’m needed, Polemus,’ he had said.

‘You wouldn’t last very long, sir!’ the Captain had declared. ‘Some ordinary fellow, average height, dragging his heels, looking like ten thousand other men of no importance, might not be run in for a long time. You, sir, would be a marked man! You take my advice and make your home in Athens.’

So Peter had gone on to Rome. He hadn’t even got off the ship at Piraeus. Fara and Ione didn’t need him. In fact, they might be better off without him. He might get them into trouble. It had been a sad parting, though. Fara had pleaded with him.

‘Dear Petros, you have had trouble enough. You deserve some rest, free of danger. Let us take care of you.’

And that would have been very pleasant, Peter knew. Good old Polemus had overheard the conversation. ‘You’d better do as she says,’ he advised.

Then The Antonia had swung about to resume the long voyage. One chilly morning, for it was mid-winter now, they had arrived at Ostia’s busy roadstead; and, after brief formalities of clearance, proceeded up the river. It was late in the evening when they tied up at the wharf that served the huge granaries. Peter had expected to find the streets deserted, but they were noisy with heavy vehicular traffic and crowded with pedestrians. Did these Romans never sleep?…He had walked the streets all night, bewildered by the throngs. The food-shops were open. Hawkers shouted their wares. Mendicant musicians added to the din. Blind men whined.

He found himself in an area of magnificent public buildings: the Praetorium, the forums, the stupendous Colosseum. In the grey light of morning he had come upon the broad Via Appia and had followed it out of the city. Polemus had told him how to find the Catacombs… It always stirred him when he remembered the welcome he had received. He was amazed that these forlorn fugitives had heard of him and the miracles he had wrought in the Master’s name. They had gathered about him and knelt at his feet; and he had prayed that they might all be given faith to watch and wait for the coming of the Kingdom.

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