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Updated: May 22, 2025
On his death-bed he bade me vow that I would seek his master, or his son, and this have I done." He produced documents, and there could be no doubt that the vast wealth mentioned in them belonged now to Bar Shalmon. "Thou art now my master," said the captain, "and must return with me to the land across the sea to claim thine inheritance.
"Thou art, then, a scholar." "In my own land," returned Bar Shalmon, "men said I was great among the learned." "So," said the king. "And canst thou impart the wisdom of man and of the human world to others?" "I can," said Bar Shalmon. "We shall see," said the king. "I have a son with a desire for such knowledge.
"We seem to have sustained no damage," said the captain, when he had recovered from his first astonishment, "but how we are going to get afloat again I do not know. This land is quite strange to me." He could not find it marked on any of his charts or maps, and the sailors stood looking gloomily at the mysterious shore. "Had we not better explore the land?" said Bar Shalmon.
Bar Shalmon could not move without encountering messengers from the princess in all manner of queer places. Nobody else could see them, and often he was heard talking to invisible people. His friends began to regard him as strange in his behavior. King Ashmedai grew angrier every day, and he threatened to go for Bar Shalmon himself.
Bar Shalmon found that it would be best for him to carry out his instructions for the present, and he set himself diligently to teach the crown prince. The prince was an apt pupil, and the two became great friends. King Ashmedai was delighted and made Bar Shalmon one of his favorites.
"Where is my son, Bar Shalmon?" he asked in a feeble voice, and his hand crept tremblingly along the silken coverlet of the bed as if in search of something. "I am here, my father," replied his son who was standing by the side of his bed. His eyes were moist with tears, but his voice was steady. "My son," said the old man, slowly, and with some difficulty, "I am about to leave this world.
Now we shall refloat the ship." But it still remained firmly fixed on the sand. Bar Shalmon walked towards a tree and climbed it. In a few moments he returned, holding a twig in his hand. "The land stretches away for miles just as you see it here," he called to the captain. "There is no sign of man or habitation." He prepared to board the vessel again, but the sailors would not allow him.
He passed his hands over Bar Shalmon's eyes and he fell into a profound slumber. When he awoke it was daylight, and the boy stood by his couch. He made a sign to Bar Shalmon to follow, and through an underground passage he conducted him into the synagogue and placed him near the rabbi. "Thy presence has become known," whispered the rabbi, and even as he spoke a great noise was heard.
Swiftly flew the eagle over miles and miles of desert until Bar Shalmon began to feel giddy. He was faint with hunger and feared that he would not be able to retain his hold. All day the bird flew without resting, across island and sea. No houses, no ships, no human beings could be seen.
Bar Shalmon placed his hands on those of his father. "Solemnly I swear," he said, in a broken voice, "to do thy wish never to journey on the sea, but to remain here in this, my native land. 'Tis a vow before thee, my father." "'Tis an oath before heaven," said the old man. "Guard it, keep it, and heaven will bless thee. Remember! See, the sun is sinking."
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