The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth George Speare [11]
Daniel had to admit that his work was easier. There was never a lack of firewood, and with Samson to help with the bellows instead of the skinny twelve-year-old Joktan he could keep a steady heat in the furnace. The other men were grateful for Samson's muscles too. They came to Daniel as though they were asking to borrow a hammer or an ax. A boulder that five of them were heaving and tugging Samson could roll into place like a child's pebble. The whole eastern end of the camp had been fortified in the last two weeks. Even Rosh had to admit that Samson earned his keep. But the men still hated and feared him and made him the butt of all meir jokes. That was one more reason for Daniel to resent his burden; he felt more than ever shut out from the rest, for the jibes that were aimed at Samson usually included him as well.
Was Samson actually deaf? Sometimes he suspected the man understood a great deal more than they realized, and once he had made the mistake of saying so. The only result had been that the men had plagued Samson cruelly, devising all sorts of tests to trick him. They had finally tired of trying to surprise a reaction out of Samson, but they had not convinced Daniel.
Was Samson dumb? Were the sounds he occasionally made just gibberish, or were they fragments of a language it was useless to speak? Where had he come from? What thoughts went on behind that impassive face? What memories were locked inside where they could never be shared? At times Daniel hated him, with a dull resentment. At other times, like now, as Samson set down the water skin, wiped a huge hand across his mouth, and looked at Daniel with a slow childish grin spreading across his face, Daniel felt a grudging liking.
He helped himself and Samson from the stock of raw vegetables in the cave, cabbage and cucumbers and onions pilfered from the farms in the valley, and they lay down in the dark shade of the cave to doze away the midday hours.
He was roused by Rosh's voice shouting his name. He came out of the cave, still half asleep, blinking in the sunlight. Ebol, the sentry, had come into camp leading a man who was tied and blindfolded, as Rosh ordered all strangers and prisoners must be.
"Come out here, Daniel," Rosh barked. "This fellow claims he was looking for you. Ever see him before?"
Daniel came nearer, staring at the young, dark-bearded stranger. Unhamperedbyblindfold or thongs, the man stood in the center of the suspicious ring of outlaws with the easy confidence of one who had nothing to hide.
"Is this Daniel?" he spoke in a deep voice. "Peace be with you, my friend. It's been a long time."
Daniel came closer. "Simon?" he asked uncertainly. He could scarcely associate his memory of a tattered apprentice with this tall vigorous man. "Joel gave you my message?"
"I was glad to get it. You'd be surprised how often I've wondered what happened to you."
"So you know him?" Rosh was puzzled, but he signaled for the man to be released. "The boy's been well taken care of," he said affably. "You can't deny that."
The blindfold removed, Simon looked Daniel over, with a twinkle of amusement that the boy was taller than he. "He's grown, that's certain," he allowed. "I wouldn't have expected so much muscle."
"That's from the forge," said Daniel, flattered. "Did Joel tell you I've kept at my trade? I'll show you."
"Later," said Simon. "First I'd like some water, if you have some. You people give a man a warm welcome up here."
Chagrined, Daniel hastened to find the coolest water in the back of the cave. Rosh left them, and the other men made a show of some business well within earshot. Daniel was clumsy with pleasure and importance. Never before had anything like this happened to him.
"How did you know where to find me?" he asked.
"I had an idea that once I got up the mountain I'd have plenty of assistance."
"You might have got hurt instead."
"I don't think so," said Simon. He seemed very sure of himself.
Proudly Daniel showed Simon his forge. He knew he had reason to be proud of it, but it was gratifying to