Chapter 5

Now John and his unrecognized companion—a ragged youth of his own age—were climbing over the forward rail. Waving a hand, he led the diffident stranger into the little galley in the forecastle.

‘Feeding him, no doubt,’ guessed Andrew. ‘He certainly looked hungry.’

‘Johnny missed his calling,’ said Simon. ‘He should have been a public almoner.’

‘It would have increased the taxes,’ remarked old Zebedee. ‘The boy has no regard for money.’

‘No—Johnny will never be rich,’ said Simon, ‘but he will always have friends.’

‘And they will have him to bury sometime,’ muttered Zebedee.

‘You wouldn’t expect him to bury himself,’ said Simon.

They all chuckled a little at this, but gave full attention as John appeared from the galley and came slowly aft, their curiosity about his movements whetted by the fact that he had been absent since noon yesterday. Stepping with the carefulness of a cat he walked across the big net and sat down beside Simon, who edged over to make room. They all put down their work and waited for explanations.

‘Camel-boy,’ said John, tipping his head toward the galley. ‘Hasn’t had anything to eat for a couple of days; very tired. I found him sitting on the dock. He looked as if he had been crying; face all smeared and dirty. He said he had run away from a caravan bound for Damascus on the coast road, because they beat and starved him.’

‘You showed him where to wash—and gave him some food?’ inquired Simon. He took up the net again as a hint to the crew, and they bent over their work. John nodded—and smiled.

‘I never saw anyone eat before,’ he remarked to Simon; ‘not like this boy. The poor chap must be hollow all the way to his heels.’

‘Did you question him?’ asked Simon.

‘No—I thought I’d let you do that. He may be from the south. He speaks Aramaic—the Judaean kind; only down south further, maybe.’

‘Well—we’ll see,’ rumbled Simon absently. Leaning closer, he asked in a low voice, ‘Did you go out there, yesterday, as you intended?’

John nodded dreamily, averting his eyes; then shook his head.

‘Well?’ snapped Simon, with a sudden impatience that widened his audience. ‘Did you go—or didn’t you?’