The Hebrew woman now joined in the conversation. "Still I have seen you in his company," she protested. "Do not fear, but tell this noble Roman lady, who is the Emperor's friend, where she is most likely to find him."
But the terrified disciple grew more and more irascible. "Have all the people gone mad to-day?" said he. "Are they possessed by an evil spirit, since they come again and again and ask me about that man? Why will no one believe me when I say that I do not know the Prophet? I do not come from his country. I have never seen him."
His irritability attracted attention, and a couple of beggars who sat on the wall beside him also began to dispute his word.
"Certainly you were among his disciples," said one. "We all know that you came with him from Galilee."
Then the man raised his arms toward heaven and cried: "I could not endure it in Jerusalem to-day on that man's account, and now they will not even leave me in peace out here among the beggars! Why don't you believe me when I say to you that I have never seen him?"
Faustina turned away with a shrug. "Let us go farther!" said she. "The man is mad. From him we will learn nothing."
They went farther up the mountain. Faustina was not more than two steps from the city gate, when the Hebrew woman who had wished to help her find the Prophet called to her to be careful. She pulled in her reins and saw that a man lay in the road, just in front of the horse's feet, where the crush was greatest. It was a miracle that he had not already been trampled to death by animals or people.
The man lay upon his back and stared upward with lusterless eyes. He did not move, although the camels placed their heavy feet close beside him. He was poorly clad, and besides he was covered with dust and dirt. In fact, he had thrown so much gravel over himself that it looked as if he tried to hide himself, to be more easily over-ridden and trampled down.
"What does this mean? Why does this man lie here on the road?" asked Faustina.
Instantly the man began shouting to the passers-by:
"In mercy, brothers and sisters, drive your horses and camels over me! Do not turn aside for me! Trample me to dust! I have betrayed innocent blood. Trample me to dust!"