The Ironsmith by Nicholas Guild Page B

wasn’t inclined to be fastidious. For a brief time she listened to my message, and perhaps it made some impression. Needless to say, he is not one of the saved.”
    â€œSo I gathered.”
    â€œDoes he know you are my cousin?”
    â€œYes, but for a consideration he will overlook it. I have a bed there.”
    â€œYou will probably find yourself sleeping on the roof. The weather this close to the sea can be freakish, so let us pray it does not rain.”
    The idea seemed to amuse him, and he laughed. Then, suddenly, the laughter stopped.
    â€œWhat are you doing here, Noah?”
    â€œI have come as a spy for Antipas. He wants to know if he should have you arrested.”
    â€œNo—really. What are you doing here?”
    â€œThat is the reason.”
    So Noah told him about Caleb. Joshua listened and then said, “I do not know this man.”
    â€œBelieve me, it is my hope that you never will. If the rumors are to be believed, he is the one who put the Baptist to death.”
    â€œThen why have you come?”
    â€œBecause I have no choice and because if I do not someone else will. I, however, being your cousin, will report that you are a harmless crank who preaches repentance and that nobody listens to you anyway. Besides, I felt you should be warned.”
    â€œI am safe enough here.”
    â€œYou cannot imagine how reassured I am.”
    â€œYou worry too much, Noah.” Joshua reached back and rapped his knuckles against the hull of the boat. “How long would it take me to have this in the water? And on the other shore Antipas has no authority?
    â€œThey might surprise you before you can get to a boat.”
    â€œNo. This town is like a drum—the slightest tap is heard everywhere within. Should Antipas send men for me, someone would tell me of it before they had left the main road. The Tetrarch is not popular hereabouts.”
    â€œWhat are you doing here, Joshua?”
    â€œGetting drunk with you.”
    Joshua laughed at his own joke, and then suddenly he stood up.
    â€œCome along,” he said, holding out his hand to help Noah to his feet. “Let’s walk. You can tell me your news. Has Sarah found a husband yet?”
    They followed the shore. It was dark by then, but there was a long streak of moonlight across the water, enough to light their way. They took off their sandals and let the waves wash over their feet. It was as if they were boys again.
    â€œHow do you live here?”
    â€œSimply.” Joshua smiled, as if it were the answer to a riddle. “I have made the great discovery that a man, no less than a sparrow, needs little to be content. A friend of mine, who is a fisherman, keeps a bed for me. I am invited everywhere to dinner. Enough people listen to me that one or another will supply anything I may happen to need. The Baptist lived on locusts and wild honey and drank nothing but water. I am not so pure a soul as he was, but I am learning. I have stopped worrying about my little wants because I know that I live under God’s protection.”
    â€œAnd this is enough for you?”
    â€œYes.” He shook his head. “Yes and no. Now and then, when I remember Rachel, I have a twinge of regret, but in time I hope to overcome even that. God took her from me for a reason. Besides, very soon I will have her back.”
    Noah risked a glance at him. There was only moonlight, but he knew that face well enough to sense its perfect composure.
    â€œDo you believe that death is final?” Joshua asked, without turning his head. Noah thought there might be a faint smile on his lips.
    â€œI don’t know.” Suddenly Noah remembered his own dead wife. “I hope not.”
    â€œThe Pharisees teach that one day the graves will yield up their dead. The Baptist believed it. I believe it. And I know that day is not far off.”

 
    8
    They talked until late into the night. Then Joshua said that he wished to be