The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth George Speare [80]
"Forgive me, Daniel," Simon said now, seeing that he had offended his young friend. "We are worried too. These priests from Judea—they haven't given him a moment's peace for three days. They pretend to be so respectful, and they're only trying to trap him into saying something they can prove is blasphemy. It keeps us all on edge."
"Why does he stay here if he knows he is in danger? Why doesn't he hide till he's strong enough?"
"The people need him. Come another time, Daniel. I cannot talk tonight."
With the door shut against him, Daniel stood in the crowded garden. He wanted desperately to see Jesus. He knew now that the warning had been only an excuse. If he could have one word, one sign from Jesus, he might find the strength to go on working.
For a long time he waited, lost in his own misery. Finally Andrew came to the door of the house and looked out. "No use to wait," he called to the wretched crowd. "The master is very weary. He can see no one else tonight."
A wailing filled the garden. Then gradually the sick and the lame, convinced that the man had meant what he said, began to hobble back toward the road. A few simply settled themselves on the damp ground, having no other place to spend the night. Presently the door opened again, and Simon and Andrew and jesus came out into the garden. They moved slowly and Jesus spoke kindly to those who obstructed the way, touching them sometimes with a pitying hand. Firmly, the two disciples pushed a way for their master to the outside staircase that led to the upper room. They stood watching till Jesus, carrying a small night light ascended the stairs, went into the shelter, and closed the door behind him.
It was dark in the garden. When the disciples had gone back into the house, Daniel moved forward and stood at the foot of the staircase. He could not bear to go away.
He was sure he had not made any sound, but over his head the door opened. "Who is there?" Jesus spoke. He raised the lamp.
Daniel did not dare to speak, but almost without thought he moved into the small circle cast by the lamp and raised his head till the light fell upon his face.
"Come up, my friend," said Jesus softly.
The upper chamber was completely bare and clean. On the floor was unrolled the thin mattress on which Jesus was to sleep.
"Sit down," said Jesus, and he himself sat, opposite Daniel, on the floor of rolled earth. "Why are you troubled?" he asked.
"I came to warn you," Daniel hurried into his errand. "Joel says you are in danger. He says they have turned against you in the synagogue. He's afraid they will try to kill you."
"Thank you," said Jesus gravely. "It is kind of you and Joel. Now, tell me, why are you troubled?"
Shamed, aware that he should not disturb the master's rest, Daniel sat struggling with his conscience. Then his misery spilled over. "Because I don't know where to turn. Everything has failed. Everything I hoped and lived for."
"What did you live for?"
"Just one thing. Freedom for my people. And vengeance for my father's death."
"Two things," said Jesus. "Not one."
"They are the same. I will strike for both at once."
"Are you sure?" Jesus asked.
The familiar tightness pulled at Daniel's mouth. He had come for help, not questions.
"All I wanted was a chance!" he went on. "I thought it had come at last, and I worked and planned for it. Then it all went wrong somehow. All I have is another debt to pay—Samson."
Jesus was silent for a moment. "This Samson," he asked, "he was your friend?"
The question surprised Daniel. He had thought of Samson as a burden, as a symbol of his own weakness. He had never thought of