Caleb could hardly contain himself as they started toward the caravansary. Marah watched with amusement as he fairly skipped along beside his father. She had selected a mantle of heavier than usual fabric to protect her face. Jesse was pleased that she was attired as modestly as possible and had given her one of his slow smiles that tugged at her heart.
They walked slowly, gauging their pace for Elon who walked beside Haman. As they passed through the marketplace, their noses were assailed by the tang of fish, olives packed in stone jars, and perfumes. They passed stalls of linen and the soap the Samaritans were known for, as well as baskets of dates, nuts, leeks, and cucumbers. At the stall of the spice merchant, baskets of mint, dill, coriander, rue, and mustard mingled their fragrances. Marah admired the stalls of the woolen merchants, for Shechem was known for its wool. She would have liked to stop and finger some of the garments, but moved quietly on behind her husband and father-in-law. Haman was greeted by a short, fat man who had been sitting in one of the wine shops as they passed. He appeared to want to talk, but Haman brushed him aside with a meaningful look. The man shrugged and sat down again.
Marah had rarely been to this side of the city of Shechem, > for not far from the caravansary were the weavers, who were looked down upon by the other trades. While their craft was in demand, it was considered women’s work. Beyond them, outside the city walls, were the tanners and copper smelters, both odious trades. She shook her head as she remembered hearing of women who had obtained a bill of divorcement simply because they learned their “intended” was one of these tradesmen and the smell would be unbearable. They could even get a bill of divorcement after the marriage had taken place if they found the stench of the trade not to their liking. For a brief moment she remembered Zibeon, but that was long ago. With pride she thought of Jesse’s trade. Carpentry was a worthy occupation.
The men stopped at one stall at Caleb’s persistence. The tradesman carved small animals out of olive wood. Caleb looked at a delicately carved camel. Jesse could probably make one for Caleb, but he had little time for carving these days.
The tradesman, seeing a possible sale, began to extol the virtues of his work, and Jesse casually examined the camel. In a few moments of bartering, Jesse produced a coin and Caleb tucked the camel in his girdle, thanking his father profusely. Jesse nodded and glanced briefly at Haman, whose face was unreadable.
They entered the narrow gate from the city that led to the caravansary. The stench of the camels gathered at the stone troughs was hard on the senses. Some were being watered and others stood or lay in groups according to the time their caravan had arrived. Piles of straw were here and there and some were feeding. They contemplated the newcomers with large indolent eyes and chewed their cud. In the corner of the large courtyard was a stone two-story building with stairs that led to the upper level where there were rooms for wealthier merchants to stay. Doorways were covered by colorful tapestries and rugs. Down below, there were large arched openings where animals could be sheltered in inclement weather—poorer travelers were obliged to share these rude lodgings with their animals.
Haman excused himself and walked over to a group of men near the center of the courtyard, which was dotted with merchants sharing information. He spoke briefly to one of them. The man nodded and returned with Haman to where the family was waiting.
The merchant was portly, but not heavy. His beard was full and his face had a pleasant expression. He walked with the air of a man who was used to being in charge, but he did not appear arrogant.
“Uncle, Cousin, may I present Ahmal, a caravan master, who has been most kind in allowing me to work for him, truly a blessing in my time of need.”
Marah couldn’t imagine Haman being in a time of need. He seemed too sure of himself and too self-reliant.
“Our pleasure, my lord,” murmured Jesse and Elon, nodding their heads respectfully.
“Greetings. It is my pleasure indeed to meet the family of Haman.”
Ahmal’s eyes twinkled as he very seriously greeted Caleb. The boy was obviously beside himself with excitement.
“A fine young man you have here.” The small edges of his eyes crinkled with Ahmal’s ready smile. Marah decided that she liked the man.
Ahmal inquired as to how the carpentry trade was going. Marah left them to their discussion and turned away to look at the camels. When she found a couple of the camel drivers eyeing her with interest, she quickly turned back and moved closer to Jesse.
“… carrying the wonderful soaps and woolens of Shechem,”
Ahmal was saying. “I bring back copper pots, linens, spices, and other goods.”
“How large is your caravan, my lord?”
Ahmal’s eyes appraised Jesse carefully. It was obvious that he liked what he saw, for his head nodded imperceptibly. “Forty to fifty camels, twenty or so mules, drivers and muleteers, and of course my own armed men. It is an unfortunate necessity, bandits still roaming the hills.” He looked briefly at Haman but said no more about bandits.
Caleb could not hide his curiosity. “The camels are different.” Ahmal put his hand up to stop Jesse’s apology for his son and smiled down at the boy. “That is because they have different uses. The djemel is the pack animal of the caravans. A bit obstinate, that one, but built to carry a full load with ease.”
Caleb looked at another camel Ahmal indicated. Its broad head was tapered to a narrow muzzle with firm lips. Its large eyes with their heavy lids and long lashes observed them insolently. “That is the fleet and elegant riding camel. They are called mehari. Their legs are built to insure a fast and easy gait for their riders.”
All the nearby camels had a guiding ring that had pierced the right nostril. Through the rings, the reins tied the camels to posts.
Marah was fascinated. She had questions she wanted to ask, but knew it would embarrass Jesse in front of the merchant for her to speak.
Elon broke in. “My nephew Haman works for you? There would appear much to do.” Elon looked around, obviously wondering exactly what his nephew did.
Ahmal broke in as Haman started to speak. “He is a factor for me. He procures goods from the merchants of Shechem, at a fair price, and prepares them for the arrival of my caravan.”
Evidently Haman was not offended, for he added, “I also sell Ahmal’s goods to the local merchants. It is a good trade all around. And, of course, I have my share.”
That would explain why he always had money, Marah thought. They had wondered at that too. At least Jesse’s cousin seemed to be engaged in an honest business.
“Where is your horse?” Caleb asked Haman, looking all around anxiously at the busy courtyard.
Haman led Caleb to one of the stalls. He reached out to stroke the muzzle, but the horse shied away from his touch. Caleb reached up to pet him also, and to the boy’s delight, the horse prodded his shoulder with his nose. For some reason this seemed to annoy Haman. Aware that Marah was nearby and watching them, he spoke casually.
“A spirited animal, you had best be careful, Caleb. Perhaps he should be left alone.” He led the reluctant boy away from the horse. Caleb looked back over his shoulder.
“I think he likes me. When I grow up, I shall have a horse just like this one. Can I come to see him again sometime?”
Haman nodded absentmindedly. “Yes, of course, some other time.”
Marah turned back to Jesse, Elon, and the merchant Ahmal. She did not see where Caleb went until there was a commotion nearby.
Jesse strode quickly to retrieve Caleb from the hands of an angry camel driver. Caleb had come too close to one of the camels and Marah could make out the words “stubborn … spits” as the man waved his hands in the air.
“A thousand pardons, my friends.” Ahmal nodded to them and went to say a few words to the camel driver. The man quickly fell silent and sullenly moved away from the scene. Ahmal returned.
“He is one of my men. He was concerned about the boy.
That is a mean camel. He is known to spit frequently at those who bother him. If he was not such a good pack animal, he would be made into a footstool!” They all smiled, but Jesse put a firm hand on Caleb’s shoulder, insuring that he would stay close by from now on.
“Do you live here in Shechem?” asked Elon.
“My travels take me many places, too many to stay in one place any length of time. Yet I confess, Shechem is the city of my birth and I think one day I will settle down when I am too old for all this traveling. In the meantime, I have a small house that belongs to my family. I have a steward who cares for it in my absence.”
He spread his hands to include them all. “Would you do me the greatest honor to take supper with me this evening? The fare is simple, but to my liking.”
It was settled, and Marah knew Jesse would not return to the carpenter shop this day.
From Ahmal’s words, Marah expected a small house somewhere in the city. He led them through a few streets and entered a wooden gateway. They came to a small but beautiful courtyard with flowers and shrubs with a fountain in the center. With two stories, the house itself was not small by their simple standards. Tapestries hung on two of the walls and stone shelves in the walls held treasures that Ahmal had taken a liking to on his journeys. An older man, dressed in a simple tunic, came forward to greet them.
“Welcome home, good master. Your message was received and I have prepared for your guests.”
“My friends, this is Eliab, my steward. Were it not for Eliab, I would have a poor welcome and sleep with the camel drivers.”
Eliab smiled at Ahmal. They were master and servant, yet Marah saw they were greatly fond of one another.
“Come, dinner is prepared.” Eliab bowed and indicated with his hand that they should follow him.
“We should have such a small, humble house as this,” whispered Jesse with a wry grin.
The meal was delightful. Ahmal was a charming and solicitous host. He courteously inquired about the carpentry trade and the items that Jesse made. He spoke with Elon concerning his field and the problems of a farmer. He examined the small camel that Caleb showed him proudly and exclaimed over its workmanship.
Marah listened to the men’s conversation and kept an eye on Caleb. The talk flowed over and around her, and with the full meal and sweet cakes for dessert, she was pleasantly full. Glancing at Elon, she saw that he was looking a little tired. It had been a long day for him.
When Haman told an exceptionally funny tale, she could not resist laughing softly. She looked up on one such moment to find Haman’s eyes on her. She glanced at Jesse who was watching Haman, his eyes glittering momentarily. Then, for some reason she looked at their host. He was observing them all, his face bland and unreadable.
Jesse stood up quietly. “We wish to thank you for your generous hospitality, my lord. It has indeed been a wonderful meal. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness to my family.”
Ahmal made the expected protest, extolling the early hour. When they insisted they could not presume upon his gracious hospitality further, Ahmal bowed and reluctantly bid them good night.
Marah knew that the next day her husband would have to work hard to make up for the time missed today.