He seated himself on the bench of the boat in order to enjoy Beka's gift.
At the same moment the sand on the bank crackled, and a tall man, in a long brown cloak, and carrying a pilgrim's staff, came forward.

His black beard fell almost to his waist, where a cord held the cloak together.

His high forehead was shaded by a broad-brimmed hat; his eye was directed to the fisherman in the boat.
"Boatman, can you take three men across the lake ?" "The lake is wide," answered Simon, pointing to his fragile craft.
"They want to get to Magdala to-day." "Then they can take the road by Bethsaida and Capernaum." "They are tired," said the other.

"They have travelled here from the desert, and by a wide _detour_ through Nazareth, Cana, and Chorazin." "Are you one of them ?" asked Simon.

"I ought to know you.