ssary risks, John and his
companion pursued their way on the lower slopes of the hills until,
after six days' walking, they arrived at Neve.

Here they learned where the farm of John's kinsman was situated,
and made their way thither. As they came up to the house a woman
came out, gazed intently at John and, with a scream of terror, ran
back into the house. It was one of Martha's maids. John stood
irresolute, fearing that his sudden appearance might startle the
other inmates when, suddenly, Mary appeared at the door, looking
pale but resolute. She, too, gazed fixedly at John; and her lips
moved, but no sound came from them.

"Don't you know me, Mary?" John said.

The girl gave a scream of joy, and threw herself into his arms. A
moment later Martha, followed by Miriam and the other servants,
came out.

"It is no spirit, mother, it is John, himself," Mary exclaimed and,
the next moment, John was clasped in his mother's arms.

It was not surprising that the first who saw John had thought that
he was a spirit. The news had already been received that the whole
of the garrison of Jotapata had been put to the sword; and John's
appearance was changed so greatly, within the last three months,
that he would scarce have been known. Fatigue, anxiety, and the
loss of blood--from several wounds which he had received, in the
course of the siege--had so pulled him down that he was but a
shadow of his former self. His clothes were in rags. He had washed
them at the village where he had first stopped for, before that,
they had been stiffened with blood; and even now, stained and
ragged as they were, they gave him the appearance of a mendicant.

Jonas had held back a little, while the first joyful greeting was
going on, but John soon turned to him.

"Mother," he said, "this must be as another son to you for, next to
the protection of God, it is to him I owe my life."

Martha welcomed the young stranger affectionately.

"Before you tell us aught that has befallen you, John, go and
change your garments, and wash, while we prepare a meal for you.
The clothes of your uncle's son Silas, who is about your age, will
fit you; and those of his younger brother will do for your friend."

"Was the last news of my father good?" John asked.

"Yes, the Lord be praised, he was well when we heard of him, a week
since!"

The travelers were at once conducted to a room, and supplied with
water and clean garments. By the time they had changed,