Sir Charleroy turned and looked at the Jew, and was amazed to see him binding in front of himself a board having the ominous words, “Unclean” upon it.
“What; thou, a Jew, and touch that foul thing, worn to festering death by some leper!”
“Better night and a clean soul, though in a body burned by the cursed leprosy, than life in Moslem slavery.”
“But what if the disease cleave to thee, and we escape?”
“Sir Knight, thou wilt live to tell others that a once hated Jew was led of thee to truth, and after died a living death, that his benefactors might survive. I think such deeds cause noble lights to glow in human souls.”
“God bless and pity thee, Ichabod.”
“Ah, he does; even now. I see the scarlet line of Rahab, and it binds the pestilence that walketh by noonday.”
The furious pursuers spurred their steeds up toward the tombs, but as they beheld the solitary man, sitting in painful attitude with beggar-like palm extended and wearing the dread sign, they rapidly wheeled their steeds about and galloped away. The Moslem had heard that a Jew would suffer any torture rather than ceremonial pollution; hence judged that the object before them could not be the refugee they sought.
“I wonder not that the demoniac cut himself madly when among the tombs, good Jew. Sure it’s like going to glory to get out once more. Methinks freedom is only sweet when taken with fresh air! Well, we are out and the enemy thwarted.”