Miracle in the Wilderness Read Free Page A

of All had been born. They turned aside and followed the star to bring Him gifts. And the shepherds in the fields tending their flocks saw the star and heard an angel and came likewise.”
    The encircling Indians listening to the translation grunted “Heh!” or “Hau!” and settled themselves more comfortably. Bethlehem meant nothing to them but they knew of stars and kings and wise men and the tending of flocks in the field. And also they gathered that this was a tale, like so many of their own, that was of old.
    Nyagway, the center of attention, was in his element. His flat features became animated, his small eyes glowed. He gestured and his voice picked up the inflections of Jasper Adams who seemed to gain in strength and joy as he unfolded his story.
    “To Bethlehem there came two travelers, Mary and Joseph, husband and wife, and Mary was large with child. But the child was not of Joseph, but of God, for the spirit of God had entered into Mary.”
    The listeners and even Quanta murmured, “Hau Hau!” and nodded their heads for talk of spirits they could understand.
    Dorcas hugged her child and looking upwards saw one whose strength and depth she had not even dreamed. Lover and husband he had been, but now he seemed touched by God as well. He towered so tall that his head reached into the sky, crowned with light, the shadows of his great arms were longer than the dark spreading branches and his voice booming through the forest aisles was like organ music.
    “When it came Mary’s time there was no place for them at the inn at Bethlehem nor would any humans give them shelter. So they went to a stable and there in the manger the infant Jesus was born. And about His head there was such a glowing as there is in the Heavens tonight.”
    For much of what Jasper was narrating Nyagway had no point of reference and could not wholly understand. He interpreted it in terms of Indian life, shocking his listeners with the revelation of the lack of hospitality and cruelty of the fact that no one would take in these wayfarers and that the woman had to go to give birth where the beasts were gathered. But when it came to the glow in the heavens they were at home and all followed Nyagway’s gesture and looked up into the milky sky behind which apparently were hidden the mysteries of the white man as well as their own. Dorcas gazed into the face of her husband and what she saw was both tender and terrible.
    The story continued: “And the ox bowed down to worship and gave the Infant of his soft straw for His bed. And the ass bowed down to worship and gave the Infant of her warm milk to drink. And the sheep too bowed down to worship and crowded close with their soft wool to keep the Infant warm.”
    Thrice Nyagway bowed as he narrated and his audience swayed in movement with his body.
    “. . . and ever since that time the beasts of burden and the creatures of the field and forest kneel down in secret at midnight of Christmas Eve. This night, as they did so long ago, they worship the Christ Child and are given the power of human speech to pray to Him.”
    Quanta’s breath was exhaled in a long, hissing sigh. “Ah. The deer!” Then he asked of Nyagway, “Were they then heard to speak? What were their words?”
    When the question was put to him Jasper had to listen for a moment within himself for he was not quite certain whether he had heard it or thought it. And then it seemed to him that he heard quite clearly. “They prayed to the Lord God and the Infant Jesus, ‘Oh Almighty Father and gentle Jesus, watch over us and protect us from the wolves, from the tree cats, from hunger and thirst and the hunter. Let Thy grace descend upon us so that we may live together in peace and love one another.’ ”
    Quanta nodded. He was himself a family man and the words and imagery pleased him. He asked, “And what became of this child?”
    Jasper Adams felt his strength beginning to fail him. Nevertheless he undertook to reply, “His name