s of Jerusalem were a mere fraction of its
population--a fraction composed almost entirely of turbulent
characters and robber bands, who fought with the fury of
desperation; after having placed themselves beyond the pale of
forgiveness, or mercy, by the deeds of unutterable cruelty with
which they had desolated the city, before its siege by the Romans.
They fought, it is true, with unflinching courage--a courage never
surpassed in history--but it was the courage of despair; and its
result was to bring destruction upon the whole population, as well
as upon themselves.

Fortunately the narrative of Josephus, an eyewitness of the events
which he describes, has come down to us; and it is the storehouse
from which all subsequent histories of the events have been drawn.
It is, no doubt, tinged throughout by his desire to stand well with
his patrons, Vespasian and Titus; but there is no reason to doubt
the accuracy of his descriptions. I have endeavored to present you
with as vivid a picture as possible of the events of the war,
without encumbering the story with details and, except as regards
the exploits of John of Gamala, of whom Josephus says nothing, have
strictly followed, in every particular, the narrative of the
historian.

G. A. Henty.

Chapter 1: The Lake Of Tiberias.

"Dreaming, John, as usual? I never saw such a boy. You are always
in extremes; either tiring yourself out, or lying half asleep."

"I was not half asleep, mother. I was looking at the lake."

"I cannot see much to look at, John. It's just as it has been ever
since you were born, or since I was born."

"No, I suppose there's no change, mother; but I am never tired of
looking at the sun shining on the ripples, and the fishermen's
boats, and the birds standing in the shallows or flying off, in a
desperate hurry, without any reason that I can make out. Besides,
mother, when one is looking at the lake, one is thinking of other
things."

"And very often thinking of nothing at all, my son."

"Perhaps so, mother; but there's plenty to think of, in these
times."

"Plenty, John; there are baskets and baskets of figs to be stripped
from the trees, and hung up to dry for the winter and, next week,
we are going to begin the grape harvest. But the figs are the
principal matter, at present; and I think that it would be far more
useful for you to go and help old Isaac and his son, in getting
them in, than in lying there watching the lake."

"I s