Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar Page B

branch and one on Ezra, he pushed himself harder. There! Just as he reached for the branch he saw Ezra go under. Clinging to the branch he allowed the current to pull him toward where he had last seen Ezra.
Where are you, my friend? Come back where I can see you!
Suddenly, a dark head popped up.
    “Ezra!” he shouted, and reached out. Ezra seemed only half conscious and disoriented. Hanani grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled with all his might.
    “Aghh!” Ezra came to himself enough to realize what was happening and turned and clung to Hanani’s arm. They hung there until both caught their breath, then fought their way to the shore. Collapsing, the two men panted and spluttered, grateful for the air that filled their lungs. After a few moments, Hanani stood and pulled Ezra up beside him.
    “Thank you,” Ezra managed, then threw up. Volumes. Hanani grimaced and turned away to give his friend some privacy.
    “All right, now?” he asked when Ezra’s heaves had subsided. “Yes. Thank you for saving my skin.”
    Hanani held up a hand. “The river Jordan has nothing on the wrath of your sister should I have carried your dead body home.”
    Ezra’s bluish lips broke into a grin and he sat up, moaning. “Home sounds good—let’s go. I’ve had enough spying.”

     
    Hanani was elated at his first sight of the familiar tents dotting the arid landscape. As he suspected, word of their return quickly spread, and Joshua came to meet them in person.
    He rushed through his greetings before getting to the point. “Come, come. Time runs short. I rejoice at your safe return, men. Now you must tell me what you found. We will meet in my tent.” With that he walked away.
    Hanani, sore from nearly drowning and the long walk that came before, tried to keep up with the older man without betraying his fatigue. Out of the corner of his eye he spied a familiar form.
    “Hanani and Ezra!” Salmone called out, running toward them.
“Shalom!
What a sight you are,” he said with a grin, pointing his chin at Hanani’s stained clothes and tangled hair, three days without the attentions of a comb. “How good to have you both back.”
    “Yes, yes. It is good,” Joshua interrupted. “But we can celebrate later. This son of Judah has a report to make. Salmone, you can join us, since Hanani is under your leadership and a personal friend besides,” he said without slowing down.
    Salmone fell into step beside them. Hanani, who had known Salmone since birth, noticed his friend’s taut muscles and pursed mouth, a sure sign of the knot inside his belly. Salmone was burning with curiosity. Hanani spared him a glance and a grin, trying through his tiredness to convey his elation.
The report is positive, my friend
, he expressed without words.
This is not a repeat of the spy report from a generation back
. Salmone’s mouth relaxed as did hismuscles. Among friends of old, friends who had waged war and cobbled peace alongside one another, words weren’t always necessary.
    Joshua walked into his tent and flapped it shut. Evening was falling and the air was cooling. Still it was stifling inside. Hanani took no notice. Like other Israelite men, he was accustomed to harsh weather and nomadic inconveniences. Joshua spun around as soon as the tent was sealed and made private. “Well, speak up. What did you find out?”
    Hanani’s gaze lingered for a long moment on the fluffy cushions covering a portion of the floor, and he wondered if it would be rude to sit down before making his report. Sighing, he decided against it and shifted his stance to take the pressure off his aching thighs. Perhaps after giving the good news, Joshua would invite him to sit. “The Lord has definitely given the land into our hands,” he began.
    “The people of Jericho and the rest of Canaan speak of us in fear,” Ezra continued. “They expect defeat. They’re petrified of our people.”
    “Ah! This news will reassure and strengthen our men. Now start from the