tore through the
quivering flesh his eyes closed and his lips moved as if he were
holding communion with some invisible One. Then with a great wrench the
cross was lifted into the socket prepared for it.

At this moment the first word escaped him. With a look of reproach and
an appealing glance to heaven, he cried, "Father, forgive them; they
know not what they do!" It was as if he were covering our heads with a
shield of prayer. In this he did but practise his own rule of charity
and doctrine of forgiveness, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully
use you."

His prayer, however, seemed but to rouse anew the fury of his enemies.
They cried out in mockery, "Come down! come down from thy cross. Thou
that boastest of destroying the Temple and rebuilding it in three days,
save thyself!" The priests and rabbis, standing by, joined in the
mockery, saying, "Aha, he saved others, himself he cannot save! Let him
come down if he be the Messiah, the chosen of God!" My soldiers
meanwhile disputed as to the apportionment of his garments; I noted the
rattling of dice in the brazen helmet wherein they were casting lots
for his seamless robe.

The thieves on either hand joined for a time in the mockery; but
presently a change came over the one upon the right, whose name was
Dysmas.

This man, like his fellow, had belonged to a notorious band of robbers
who infested the road to Jericho. His life had been passed in bloody
work; but the patient demeanor of Jesus touched his heart and convinced
him that He was indeed the veritable Son of God. The other thief joined
in the mockery, but Dysmas remonstrated with him, saying, "Dost thou
not even fear God? We indeed are condemned justly, receiving the due
reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss." Then
presently, turning his pain-racked eyes toward Jesus, he entreated,
"Lord, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom!" The Nazarene
straightway turned upon him a look of compassionate love, saying,
"To-day thou shalt be with me in paradise!"

An hour later this robber's head sank upon his breast; but in death his
face wore a look of indescribable peace. The time came when the word of
pardon addressed to this man was a message of hope and comfort to other
great sinners. He who saved Dysmas in the article of death, plucking
him from the edge of the abyss, was thenceforth believed by His
followers to