And then as he sat with his knee drawn up, his head bowed upon it, the weakness of slumber gradually stole away his watchfulness and his concern.
Some time later, before the deliberate dawn of a March day had put out the last of the greater stars, two men on horses descended the declivity just above the shelter of sheepskins and attracted by the dull glow of the fire drew up cautiously.
At a word from one of the men, the other alighted and, peering from the shelter of a prostrate cedar, inspected the pair.

After assuring himself that there were but two about the camp, one a woman and both asleep, he tiptoed back to his fellow.
"Only a man and a woman," he said.

"Jews on their way to the Passover.
Their fire is almost out.

Let us ride on." "What haste!" the one who had kept his saddle said.

"One would think it were you going forward to meet a bride and her dowry! I am hungry.
Let us borrow of this fire and get breakfast." "Emmaus is only a little farther on," the first man protested.