The two men walked in silence for a while as the mule plodded steadily along.
“We have had an unusual number of caravans this month,” Haman was saying. He did not receive a response from Jesse and sensed that his cousin was preoccupied with something. He tried again. “What will you be making from this tree?”
“A chest.” No more was offered and Jesse’s brow was creased with a frown. Haman glanced cautiously at his cousin. Somehow Haman sensed that the thoughts that occupied Jesse’s mind did not concern carpentry. Perhaps he had been a little too open in his admiration of his cousin’s wife. He’d had more than his share of successes, even with the wives of other tradesmen. Marah was different. She was truly in love with her husband, and always when he came, Elon or Caleb seemed to be around. He had his comforts, but he found himself more and more occupied with thoughts of Marah. She was beautiful and he loved to watch her body as she moved about the house. He found himself obsessed with thoughts of her at night, yet he knew she would not look at another man.
“We are nearing the place I am looking for,” Jesse spoke suddenly, bringing Haman back from his preoccupation.
Haman made an effort to joke lightly. “Good. We will see who is the stronger man.”
Jesse stopped and looked at Haman. “Is that why you came today? You want to prove yourself to me?”
“A thousand pardons, Cousin. I came only to help. Does something disturb you?” Haman asked casually.
“Something disturbs me, Cousin. That is why I agreed to have you accompany me. We can talk more to the point when my family is not around.” Jesse’s eyes smoldered with resentment. “I would have you pay more attention to my father, your uncle, and less attention to my wife!” It was out in the open. Jesse waited for Haman’s response.
“Cousin, Cousin, forgive me if I have offended you. I admire anything beautiful, whether it is an animal, an item of trade … or a woman.” He shrugged casually. “It is only my way.”
“Then perhaps you need to change your way in regard to Marah. Do I make myself clear, Cousin?” The last was spoken in such a way that Haman did not mistake the veiled threat.
Haman grew hot. How dare this poor tradesman tell him what he could and could not do? No man ordered Haman about, unless a purse of gold accompanied his words. He would show Jesse who was the better man, in one way or another. Yet being a man who lived by his wits, he saw no point in forcing further confrontation. He would bide his time. With a forced show of humility, Haman looked innocently into Jesse’s eyes.
“Truly, Cousin, forgive me if I have caused you offense. Perhaps I have envied you your family, having not had one of my own. I shall take pains to treat your family with the utmost respect.”
Jesse hesitated, but Haman’s sincere plea won him over. “Then I too apologize for my jealousy. We shall forget the words were spoken.”
Haman nodded. “Let us indeed forget this incident.”
They walked on, climbing the slope of the mountain, and as they talked about many things, Jesse smiled at Haman’s stories as usual. Yet, underneath, Haman’s anger raged like a fire barely held in control.
Jesse stopped at the base of a large oak. “This is the one. It will take both of us with all our strength on the double saw to cut it down.”
Sweat ran freely down their faces and bodies as they pushed and pulled the large saw. Each man gave his best effort in silent competition broken only by an occasional grunt. Haman proved more than equal to the task. At last the cut in the tree was almost sufficient for they heard a “crack” and the big tree shuddered. “Which way will the tree fall?” Haman asked, studying the tree.
“Toward the cut. It will fall this direction.” Jesse indicated with his hand. “Before we finish the cut, we must make sure nothing is in the path of the tree.”
He let go of the saw and turned to glance around. There were only a few small rocks, but just then, the mule that had been grazing a distance away wandered toward them. She was right in the path of the tree. With an exclamation, Jesse strode toward the mule. He had nearly reached her when his foot caught in a hole made by a small animal, and he sprawled on the ground. “Ahhhhhh!” He drew his breath in with the pain. Haman hurried to his side.
“What happened?”
“I caught … my … foot … in a hole.”
“Here, let me help you up.” Haman reached an arm around Jesse’s broad shoulders and lifted with all his might as Jesse tried to stand.
Jesse fell back to the ground and groaned with pain. “I … cannot. My ankle must be broken. Haman, get the mule. I can hang on to her bridle and between the three of us we can get to the cart.”
“You cannot move?” He looked at Jesse, lying helpless on the ground. Just then the tree began to crack and snap. As Haman watched, frozen in place, the great tree groaned and began to fall toward them.
“Haman, the tree, help me. Pull me out of the way!” Jesse reached out toward Haman.
Haman looked quickly at his cousin. There were only seconds. If he tried to help Jesse, he might be crushed by the tree himself. If he did nothing, the tree would surely crush Jesse. He took hold of Jesse’s arm and tried to drag him out of harm’s way. But Jesse’s size, which was usually an asset, was now a disadvantage.
“Quickly!” Jesse was screaming at him.
Haman looked up just as the tree was bearing down on them. One branch struck him heavily as he jumped back out of the way. He went down on the ground, his head spinning. From somewhere there was a scream and then, darkness.
When Haman awoke, the sun was low on the horizon. His head ached and his face was wet. He reached up to feel his head and his hand came away with blood on it. He moved his head slowly, trying to clear his mind. Then he thought of Jesse. Painfully he turned and saw Jesse lying under the main body of the tree. He stood up slowly and waited for the dizziness to pass, then he made his way to where Jesse lay. There was no sound and no sign of life. He put his hand on Jesse’s face but could feel no breath. A trickle of blood had run out of Jesse’s mouth. Was he dead?
Haman cursed himself for his cowardice. In all his anger, he really meant no harm. He stood for a long moment. Marah’s face came before him, and knowing the anguish she would suffer, he cursed himself again. He shook his head. It was done. There was nothing more he could do for Jesse, except bring help to free him. Seeing the mule nearby, he staggered over, caught the bridle, and swung himself upon the animal. Leaning upon the mule’s neck, he urged her toward Shechem.