Gradually they were reaching the end of their journey.  They met with no persecution during this last stretch.  Indeed, they rather saw how some of the seeds, although mingled with weeds, had taken root.  They reached the last hills after a night in which they had encamped under sycamore and fig trees.  Jesus was walking in front.  Although He was exhausted with the long wandering, and His feet almost refused their office, He still walked on ahead.  The disciples came behind, and when they reached the top of the hill they gave a great cry.  There opposite them on the tableland of the other hill lay the metropolis!  In the morning sun it looked as if built of burnished gold, Solomon’s Temple with its innumerable pinnacles overtopping everything.

Several of the disciples had never before been to Jerusalem, and a feeling of inspired reverence came over them at the sight of the Holy City of the kings and prophets.  Here—­so thought Judas and many another—­here will the glory begin for us.  They sat down under the olive-trees to rest and to put their clothes in order, while some even anointed their hair.  Then they ate figs and the fruit of the currant bushes.  But they were anxious about the Master.  The exertions of the last few weeks had told on Him, and His feet were very sore.  But He said nothing.  The disciples agreed that they could not let this go on any longer.  James went down the slope to where he saw some cottages, and asked if anyone had a riding horse or at least a camel on which a traveller could ride into the town.  They would like to borrow it.

A little bent old man sidled up to the stranger and assured him with much eloquence that neither horse nor camel was to be had, but that there was an ass.  Yet that ass was not to be had either.

Could the Messiah make His entry on an ass?  No, we could not begin like that.  Such was the disciple’s first thought.  Then it occurred to him that ancient prophets had foretold:  He would make His entry on an ass.  Whereupon James declared himself willing to take the ass.

“You may want him and I mayn’t give him,” said the old man with a cunning laugh.  “If anything happened to this animal I should never get over it.  It is no ordinary ass, my friend!”

“It is no ordinary rider who needs him,” said James.

The little old man took the disciple to the stable.  The animal stood by the manger, and was certainly of a good breed.  It was not gray, but rather bright brown and smooth, with slender legs, pretty, sharp-pointed ears, and long whiskers round its big intelligent eyes.

“Isn’t it the colour of a thoroughbred Arab?” said the old man.

“It’s a beautiful creature,” assented James.  “Will you lend it for a silver piece and much honour?  It can easily be back by noon.”

To which the little old man replied:  “It stands to reason that we can make something out of it during this time of visitors.  Let us make it two silver pieces.”