ome upon
them--for men going thither to aid in the defense of the town."

The young men started at once on their missions, full of confidence
in John; and feeling certain that, under his leadership, they
should soon come to blows with the Romans; being also, in their
hearts, well satisfied that their warfare would be in the open
country, and they should not be called upon to fight pent up in
walls from which there was no escape.

Having seen his followers off, John returned home, and told Simon
the progress he had made. The old man sighed.

"I do not seek to keep you, John; for your duty to your country
stands, now, in the first rank of all; and it may be that the Lord
preserved you, at Jotapata, because he intends you to do great
deeds for him, here. I do not say spare yourself, or avoid danger,
for our sakes. I only say, do not throw away your life by rashness.
Remember that, young as you are, you are a leader, and be prudent
as well as brave.

"After Gamala has fallen--as fall I fear it will--and the Romans
have moved away from these parts--as they will then do, for there
is no resistance to them, on this side of Jordan, save at that
town--I shall bring your mother and Mary back again; and you will
find us waiting here to welcome you, if you return. If not, my son,
I shall mourn for you, as Jacob mourned for Joseph--and more,
seeing that you are the only prop of my old age--but I shall have
the consolation of knowing that you died for your country."

"You will find in Mary a daughter, father; and you must find a
husband for her, who will take my place. But it may be that if the
Romans march not direct upon Jerusalem--and they say that Vespasian
has arranged that two of the legions shall winter on the sea coast,
at Caesarea, and the third at Scythopolis--it is probable that he
will not move against Jerusalem till the spring. In that case I may
be often here, during the winter. For I will not go down to
Jerusalem until the last thing; for there all is turmoil and
disturbance and, until the time comes when they must lay aside
their private feuds and unite to repel the invader, I will not go
down."

Father and son talked until late in the night. In the morning John
made his preparations for departure. He had told Jonas of his
intentions. The boy listened silently, only saying, "Wherever you
go, John, I am ready to go with you; it makes no difference to me;"
and afterwards went down to the lake side, where he fil