by Samuel the tanner.

In the course of the day, a number of the citizens called upon
Josephus and begged him, at once, to set about building walls for
the town, as he had already built them for Tarichea. When he
assured them that he had already made preparations for doing so,
and that the builders should set to work, forthwith, they appeared
satisfied; and the city remained perfectly tranquil until Josephus
left, the next morning, for Tarichea.

Chapter 4: The Lull Before The Storm.

The galley which carried Josephus from Tiberias was scarcely out of
sight when John, who was standing in the marketplace watching the
busy scene with amusement, heard the shout raised:

"The Romans are coming!"

At once, people left their business, and all ran to the outskirts
of the city. John ran with them and, on arriving there, saw a party
of Roman horsemen riding along, at no great distance. The people
began to shout loudly to them to come into the town, calling out
that all the citizens were loyal to King Agrippa and the Romans,
and that they hated the traitor Josephus.

The Romans halted, but made no sign of entering the town; fearing
that treachery was intended, and remembering the fate of their
comrades, who had trusted to Jewish faith when they surrendered the
towers of Hippicus, Phasaelus, and Mariamne. The movement, however,
spread through the city. The people assembled in crowds, shouting
"Death to Josephus!" and exclaiming for the Romans, and King
Agrippa. Such as were loyal to Josephus did not venture to raise
their voices, so numerous and furious were the multitude; and the
whole city was soon in open revolt, the citizens arming themselves
in readiness for war.

As soon as he saw the course which affairs were taking, John made
his way out of the town, and ran at the top of his speed to
Tarichea, where he arrived in a little over half an hour. He was
directed at once to the house of Josephus, who rose in surprise, at
the table at which he was seated, writing, at John's entry.

"Scarcely had you left, my lord, than some Roman horsemen
approached near the town; whereupon the whole city rose in revolt,
shouting to them to enter and take possession, in the name of the
king, and breathing out threats against yourself. The Romans had
not entered, as I came away; but the populace were all in arms, and
your friends did not venture to lift up a voice. Tiberias has
wholly revolted to the Romans."

"This is bad news