"My lord," replied the servant, "I did hasten, as thou commanded, to the house of Elisha. His servant admitted me to the presence of the prophet and I delivered to him thy message. Elisha heard me in silence, then he spoke. 'Jehoram, king of Israel, hath but little faith,' he said. 'Go to thy master and say unto him that Naaman will return to Damascus healed of his leprosy.'"
A long sigh of relief broke from the lips of the king.
"Elisha be a prophet and a holy man of God," he said, "therefore, will I believe his words and have faith in him."
Chapter VII.
An hour before sunset, upon the day following his departure from Damascus, the caravan of Naaman reached the banks of the Jordan. The Jordan was very different from the beautiful Syrian rivers, Abaha and Pharpar. Its waters, muddy and discolored, flowed sluggishly between unshaded banks covered with coarse grass and rank weeds.
Naaman descended from his chariot and advanced to the banks of the river. He stood, for some moments, frowningly regarding the discolored water as it crept to his feet, then he threw aside his purple robe, disclosing upon his broad chest awful, loathsome sores. He stepped into the water.
In a few minutes he stood again upon the bank. His great muscular arms were crossed upon his breast, a gray pallor lay upon his face.