led his
pouch with smooth pebbles, each of which he selected with great
care for, when herding his goats among the mountains, Jonas had
been always practicing with a sling, and many a cony had fallen
before his unerring aim.

All the lads in the mountains were accustomed to the use of the
sling, but none in Jotapata had approached Jonas in their skill
with this weapon. During the siege he had often astonished John by
the accuracy of his aim; and had several times compelled the Romans
to cease working one of their machines, which specially harassed
the defenders of the wall, by striking down one after another of
those who directed it--his stones seldom failing to strike them
full in the face, the only spot unprotected by their armor.

In the morning, John prepared to start. He and Jonas each carried a
small sack, supported by a strap passing over the shoulders, and
containing some eight pounds of meal and a gourd of water. Jonas
carried no weapon, save a long knife hidden under his garment, and
his sling and pouch of stones. John carried a sword and buckler,
and a horn. Before they started, John knelt before his father and
received his blessing; and Simon, as he bade him adieu, gave him a
small bag of money.

"You will need to buy things in the mountains, lad; and I would not
that you should be driven, like the robber bands, to take food by
force. It is true that they who go not to the war should support
those who risk their lives for their country; but there are many
aged men who, like myself, cannot fight, there are many women whose
husbands are away in Gamala or Jerusalem, and these may not be able
to afford to assist others. Therefore, it is well that you should
have means of paying for what you require; otherwise the curse of
the widow and fatherless may fall upon you.

"And now, farewell, my son! May God have you in his keeping, and
send you home safe to your mother and me!"

Chapter 8: Among The Mountains.

Jonas was in high spirits as they started from the farm. He was
leaving no friends behind and, so long as he had John with him, he
was perfectly contented. He was delighted to be on the move again
for, although he had worked steadily in getting in the harvest,
regular labor was distasteful to him and, accustomed as he had been
to wander, for weeks, free and unchecked with his goats among the
mountains, the regular life and order of the farm were irksome to
him.

John, on the other hand, was sil