hich was to take place, in the following week, at the house
of one of the principal citizens of Hippos, and other matters. But
at last Simon broached the subject which was uppermost in all their
thoughts.

"And the news from Tiberias, you say, is bad, rabbi?"

"The news from Tiberias is always bad, friend Simon. In all the
land there is not a city which will compare with it, in the
wrongheadedness of its people and the violence of its seditions;
and little can be hoped, as far as I can see, so long as our good
governor, Josephus, continues to treat the malefactors so
leniently. A score of times they have conspired against his life
and, as often, has he eluded them; for the Lord has been ever with
him. But each time, instead of punishing those who have brought
about these disorders, he lets them go free; trusting always that
they will repent them of their ways, although he sees that his
kindness is thrown away, and that they grow even bolder and more
bitter against him after each failure.

"All Galilee is with him. Whenever he gives the word, every man
takes up his arms and follows him and, did he but give the order,
they would level those proud towns Tiberias and Sepphoris to the
ground, and tear down stone by stone the stronghold of John of
Gischala. But he will suffer them to do nothing--not a hair of
these traitors' heads is to be touched; nor their property, to the
value of a penny, be interfered with.

"I call such lenity culpable. The law ordains punishment for those
who disturb the people. We know what befell those who rebelled
against Moses. Josephus has the valor and the wisdom of King David;
but it were well if he had, like our great king, a Joab by his
side, who would smite down traitors and spare not."

"It is his only fault," Simon said. "What a change has taken place,
since he was sent hither from Jerusalem to take up our government!
All abuses have been repressed, extortion has been put down, taxes
have been lightened. We eat our bread in peace and comfort, and
each man's property is his own. Never was there such a change as he
has wrought and, were it not for John of Gischala, Justus the son
of Piscus, and Jesus the son of Sapphias, all would go quietly and
well; but these men are continually stirring up the people--who, in
their folly, listen to them--and conspiring to murder Josephus, and
seize upon his government."

"Already he has had, more than once, to reduce to submission
Tiberias and Sep