Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/37

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LIFE IN DEATH.
29

drew him back, and his companions asked wherefore he despised his life, and cared not for safety.

“Behold! a spirit hath passed,” was his reply, as he gazed once more towards the rising of the wind. His companions gazed also, and they beheld a sudden light break upon the waters, where a vessel like their own was crossing the deep. Two men were at the moment ascending the side of the ship, round which a sudden calm was spreading. It spread rapidly afar. The wind breathed its last sigh and was hushed. The waters also were still, and the foam which settled on their surface, alone told that a storm had passed away. The golden sunbeams shot up into the clear firmament from behind the mountains. The palm-groves were motionless; the lightest reed on the margin of the lake bowed not its head; and over the glittering radiance of morning brooded the silence of night.

The boatmen gazed at each other, and at Sadoc, who made a sign that they should row towards the other vessel. When the splash of the oars was once more heard, many tongues