Page:Ben-Hur a tale of the Christ.djvu/85

Rh fell upon their knees, and prayed, with their faces hidden; the boldest, covering their eyes, crouched, and now and then snatched glances fearfully. Afterwhile the khan and everything thereabout lay under the intolerable radiance. Such as dared look beheld the star standing still directly over the house in front of the cave where the Child had been born.

In the height of this scene, the wise men came up, and at the gate dismounted from their camels, and shouted for admission. When the steward so far mastered his terror as to give them heed, he drew the bars and opened to them. The camels looked spectral in the unnatural light, and, besides their outlandishness, there were in the faces and manner of the three visitors an eagerness and exaltation which still further excited the keeper's fears and fancy; he fell back, and for a time could not answer the question they put to him.

&quot;Is not this Bethlehem of Judea?&quot;

But others came, and by their presence gave him assurance.

&quot;No, this is but the khan; the town lies farther on.&quot;

&quot;Is there not here a child newly born?&quot;

The bystanders turned to each other marvelling, though some of them answered, &quot;Yes, yes.&quot;

&quot;Show us to him!&quot; said the Greek, impatiently.

&quot;Show us to him!&quot; cried Balthasar, breaking through his gravity; &quot;for we have seen his star, even that which ye behold over the house, and are come to worship him.&quot;

The Hindoo clasped his hands, exclaiming, &quot;God indeed lives! Make haste, make haste! The Saviour is found. Blessed, blessed are we above men!&quot;

The people from the roof came down and followed the strangers as they were taken through the court and out into the enclosure; at sight of the star yet above the cave, though less candescent than before, some turned back afraid; the greater part went on. As the strangers neared the house, the orb arose; when they were at the door, it was high up overhead vanishing; when they entered, it went out lost to sight. And to the witnesses of what then took place came a conviction that there was a divine