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the gloom. Worse, the coins from my pocket rattled out and pinged against each other in the night air as they flew from me. Was it possible I’d lost them all? How far could I go penniless?
    My ragged descent seemed to take forever and I had no idea how farI’d gone or even whether we had allowed enough makeshift rope until finally, mercifully, I slammed to the ground.
    I grabbed one sandal from the basket and was feeling around in it for the other when the three began quickly raising it again. I backed up to where I could see the window but didn’t dare holler at them, and suddenly the opening went dark. Why had they doused their lamps? Were the authorities checking every house?
    I waited, hoping at least they would notice my sandal in the basket, and sure enough, a moment later it flopped behind me. I followed the sound and presently stumbled upon it—all the while digging deep into my pocket for any remaining coins. I found two.
    I hopped on one foot while sandaling the other, then raced into the night for my horse. I had so hoped to coax him gently to run beneath me again, but in the light of day when he could read my calm demeanor. What would all this rushing about in the darkness mean to him, especially if my pursuers appeared close and I had to force him to bolt?
    As I neared the gate, a cacophony of voices assaulted me. Clearly everyone attempting to get in or out of the city was being questioned and searched. I slowed, covered my head, and kept to the shadows, blocking the flickering torches from illuminating my face. Ananias had pulled me away just in time. There would have been no other way out of Damascus and certainly there was no way back in now.
    I found the boy just east of the gate, not as far as I had expected. He held the tall stallion by its mane and seemed to struggle to keep it from startling, both his and the horse’s eyes wide and wary.
    â€œNo bridle or bit?” I said. “And no saddle? How am I to ride him?”
    â€œThere was no time,” the boy whined. “I was told to get him here fast.”
    â€œDid you ride him?”
    â€œBareback? No! He wouldn’t even let me get a rope around his neck. Ijust got here. They asked me at the gate where I was going with him. I said out to exercise him. I don’t think they believed me, but he stamped and nickered and I think they were afraid of him.”
    I thanked him and gave him my last two coins. As he ran toward the gate, I called after him, “You should return through another gate!” But it was too late. Someone demanded to know what he had done with the horse, and guards were dispatched to find it.
    There was no time for sweet-talking the steed now. Knowing my knees and elbows would be worn to bone within a mile, I leapt to reach his mane. Because of my stature I had to pull all my weight the rest of the way up by that coarse hair. I feared that would cause him to throw me or crush me against the wall, but he merely straightened his forelegs and steadied himself till I rearranged my grip and planted a knee on either side of his back.
    Men approached, armor clanging, and the great creature stood as if waiting for me to tell him what to do.
    â€œI will call you Theo,” I whispered. “Gift of God. Go!”

3
THE FIRST MIRACLE
    DAMASCUS TO ARABIA
    â€œT HAT ’ S HIM! ”
    â€œHalt!”
    â€œThat horse belongs to the Sanhedrin!”
    â€œStop him!”
    But on my simple command, the stallion instantly returned to the magnificent form I’d remembered. He thundered away from the wall and onto the well-worn path, causing sojourners into the city to scatter. He deftly pivoted around those who heard his pounding hooves too late and would have otherwise been trampled.
    The shouting, clanging guards faded quickly. I peeked back to see they had resorted to their own mounts, but by the time they reached top speed, Theo had hopelessly outdistanced them. I would love to think I was