Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/345

Rh voice, they cried out like thunder: 'Away with this Man, and release unto us Barabbas!' And again and again Pilate spoke and said, 'Why, what evil hath He done? I have found no cause of death in Him; and I will let Him go.' But they cried more and more, 'Crucify Him! Crucify Him!' At last, when Pilate saw that there would be an uproar with the people, and that some even drew their staves and swords, he cried wearily, 'Take ye Him and crucify Him. Do with Him as ye will, but I find no fault in Him.' And as they led Him away, Pilate followed with his eyes until the Master had left the room; then he sank down in his chair and covered his face with his hands and would speak to no man; and Caiaphas did turn to him with such a look of joy and hate and triumph as never saw I mingled in one face before."

By this time they had joined the vociferating crowd, which, satisfied with its success and weary with the excitement of the day, had not had time to notice the added group to the already swelling multitude.

At sight of the weary face of the Nazarene they could have cried out with anguish. Never was such grief and ignominy beheld before. Thank God, there never will be again! Travel-stained, weary, footsore, bruised and lacerated with the cruel scourge, almost fainting with the weight of the heavy cross in the broiling midday sun, with no covering on His head but the crown of thorns which had torn His brow in bleeding gashes, but which He could not even raise from its position with His bound hands, the world's Saviour staggered on, through taunts