For some time Seraiah’s own household continued to receive mysterious supplies from some unknown source, which made them far more comfortable than their neighbours. Once a week, or even oftener, they would find a bag of corn or flour, a basket of dried grapes or other fruits, a bundle of salt fish, a string [pg 306]of doves or wood-pigeons, put in an outhouse, nor could they guess who their benefactor could be. But when this had gone on for nearly two months, the secret came out. Seraiah, returning from his military duties at an early hour in the morning, and entering by a little postern gate in order to avoid disturbing the household, saw a man drop from the garden wall. He seized him by the arm, and the stranger, turning sharply round, revealed the well-known features of Benjamin.
“What do you here?” he asked.
“I am come on an errand of my own,” answered the robber.
“But in my house?”
“Ask no more questions,” said the man; “but take my word—and I would not lie to you for all the kingdom of Antiochus—that I mean no harm to you or yours.”
A thought flashed across Seraiah’s mind.
“It is you, then, who have been bringing us, week after week, these supplies of food?”
Benjamin said nothing.
“I adjure you by God that you answer me,” said Seraiah.
“Well, if you will know it, it is I who have done it. Why should not God use a man’s hands to feed His servants, as well as a raven’s beak?”