days and, until they are
consumed, it were best not to stir from here."

Four days later, however, they heard the sound of the Roman
trumpets and, on raising their heads carefully a few inches, saw
that the guards on the opposite hills had all been withdrawn.
Having now less fear of being seen, they raised their heads still
further, and looked up the valley to the great camp on the hillside
where, at night, they had seen the fires of the Romans, blazing
high.

"They are going!" Jonas exclaimed, joyously. "Look at the sun
sparkling on the long lines of arms and armor Not a sound is to be
heard, above--the work is done. They are about to march away."

"Do not let us expose ourselves further," John said. "It may be
that they have left a few watchers, to see if any who have eluded
their search may show themselves, believing that they have gone. I
have no doubt they are going and, by tomorrow, it will be safe for
us to move."

All day they heard the sound of trumpets, for the great host took a
long time getting into motion but, gradually, the sound grew
fainter and fainter, as the rear guard of the army took the road
which they had cut through the mountains, eight weeks before.

That night, when darkness fell, and the two lads sat up on their
ledge and looked round, not a light was to be seen; and not a sound
broke the silence of the night.

"At daybreak tomorrow, Jonas, as soon as it becomes light enough
for you to see your way, you shall go up and look round. They may
have left a guard behind, but I should hardly think so. After the
wholesale slaughter at Gadara, and here, the hatred of the Romans
will be so intense that, confident as they are in their arms and
discipline, they would hardly venture to leave a small body of men,
in the heart of these mountains."

As soon as it was daylight, Jonas prepared to climb up to the
plateau above. He took with him the rope; arranging that, if he
found that the place was absolutely deserted, he would lower one
end to John and fasten the other to the tree above; and that he
would then aid John, as much as his strength would permit, in
making his way up the rock.

John watched his companion making his way up, and observed exactly
where he placed his feet and hands, until he was out of sight. Then
he waited. In about a quarter of an hour, the end of the rope fell
in front of him. He fastened it securely under his arms and then,
taking off his sandals, began the ascent. It w