been cast, Jael spoke with Peter. "What
manner of man is this Rabbi Jesus?" he asked. "While yet I was young I
did live in Nazareth and with him eat and play. Then was he the son of
a carpenter and was learning the use of tools. Now he doth talk
strangely of being a fisherman, yet hath he the savor of a Rabbi."

"What manner of man? I know not. Yet when he called me to be his
disciple he did say he would make of me a fisher--not of much sea
food--but of men. So now do I follow when he sayeth follow, and fish
for my bread between times."

"Where getteth he the name of wonder worker?"

"That which men say he doeth, he doeth, and more."

"And thou dost believe this? I believe not."

"Believe? Yea, what my eyes see. Did not my wife's mother lay sick of
a fever? Did not he heal her by the touch of his hand? Have I not
seen one born blind made to see by his power?"

"Nay. Never hath one born blind been made to see."

"Dispute me not, else wilt thou tempt me to cast thee into the sea. I
speak the truth."

"I believe not."

"Hath any man bidden thee believe? Get thee hence."

During the day, the crew commanded by Peter cast their nets, but after
each casting drew them in empty and when the sun had neared the distant
water line, they were yet toiling. A drowsiness had fallen over the
sea and a bank of gray clouds lifted itself slowly and stealthily above
the horizon line to the northwest and spread its flanks as it rose over
the water like the wings of some ominous creature of the air. The
Rabbi, who had toiled with the others until late in the afternoon, left
them before the clouds rose, and finding some dry nets made a pillow
and lay down to sleep. The other fishermen toiled on. One wing of the
cloud bank reached across the sun and the sea grew restless. But it
was not until a sharp breeze struck the bearded faces bending over the
nets that Peter said to James, "Let us back to land. A storm ariseth."

The nets were quickly hauled in and the sails loosened to the rising
wind. But the storm was one of the sudden kind that at times sweep
Galilee like an unbridled fury, and almost before they were aware of
its speed their ship was running like a wild bird, while Peter shouted
and the crew worked with sails and tackle. The light of the sun turned
dark. The fury of the storm increased until the air was filled with
roaring and the earth seemed to be vomiting the sea from its bosom.
When the dar