far from the
Jordan. Searching to the right thine eyes will see the willows on the
banks and thine ear will hear the fall of water over stones. To the
right of the caribs turn and soon thou shalt come to a marsh. Remember
now the words of the hag and shortly shall the waters of the Jordan
greet thy eye. Thou wilt see a place beyond a flat stone where the
waters lie quiet as in a basin. Yet beyond this is a bed of rushes
washed against a dead sycamore. In the leaves look thou for the
serpent. In the bed lieth the woman whose enemy, though she knoweth it
not, doth encircle her. Like two sparks broken from the sun will the
eyes hidden in the rushes look into thy eyes. From the Seven Stars to
the Serpent hast thou now made thy way. If thou be victorious over the
serpent, back to the stars will thy feet be turned. If thy faith fail
utterly, the serpent will have victory over both man and woman and
there will come death instead of life."

"At thy strange words I wonder--but--" and he turned to Jesus: "Thou
art the King--thou art the wonder worker. By what means shall I gain
victory over this serpent that hath Sara encircled?"

"This be the victory--even thy faith, Jael," Jesus answered. "_What
things soever thou desirest when thou prayeth, believe that thou hast
them and they shall be thine_. To the woman, which I bid thee bring
again to me, carry thou this gospel of salvation--'As a man thinketh in
his heart, _so is he_.' There is no bondage to uncleanness or to
darkness when the mind of man thinks purity and light. He who thinks
_Strength_ is at last a _Conqueror_. Take now thy little _tallith_ and
if thy faith fail thee, from the touch of it may new strength come.
Go, Jael."

According to directions Jael made his way. He was aroused by the sweep
of wings passing toward the east. He heard the children singing
underneath the palms and beyond Bethsaida he overtook the herdsman.

"Are there those unclean beyond the city?" he asked him.

"Nay, for with dogs and staves drive we the unclean away. Sad was the
plight of the last who came this way. A woman she had once been. Now
came she like a creeping thing, lean of flesh, eaten of sores, and when
the dogs and staves of the city rabble had driven her far, then did my
goat with the broken horn butt her into a sharp ravine."

"Was her right leg swollen at the knee?"

"Yea, and the goat did break it with his head."

"And her right arm--had it sores?"