The little group came nearer. The man and the ass waded deep in the
sand, which in some places lay scantily over the rough stones, and in
others had drifted into high heaps. The guide was leading the animal
quickly, for during this sunless day he had lost his bearings, but said
nothing about it, in order not to make his wife anxious. His eyes
sought the right road. They ought to reach the oasis of Descheme that
day. Now he saw two men standing on blocks of stone which reached up
into the sky.

"Praised be God!" said Joseph of Nazareth, "these men will put me
right."

Before he had time to frame his question, they quickly descended. One
seized the ass's bridle, the other grasped Joseph's arm, and said:
"Give us what you have with you."

The pale woman on the ass sent an imploring glance to Heaven. The
little child in her lap looked straight out of his clear eyes, and was
not afraid.

"If you've bread with you, give it us," said Dismas, who was holding
the ass.

"Fool!" shouted Barabbas of the snub-nose, "everything they have
belongs to us. Whether we will give anything, that's the question. I
will give you the most precious thing--life. Such a beautiful woman
without life would be a horror."

Dismas reached at the sack.