favor."

John remained about ten days at Carmelia. Titus had several
interviews with him, and at the last of these said:

"I have conceived a strong friendship for you, young man, and would
willingly do you service. Take this signet ring. At all times, and
in all places, it will pass you to my presence. If a Roman sword be
raised to strike you, and you show this ring, it will be lowered.
That you should fight against us to the last is, as you believe,
your duty; and as I myself would so fight for Rome, I seek not
further to dissuade you. But when resistance is at an end, and it
is useless any longer to hold the sword, your death cannot benefit
your country. Therefore, when that time comes--if not before--use
this ring, and come to me; and I will grant you not only your own
life, but that of such friends as you may wish to save.

"I do not forget that you had my life in your hands, and that you
spared it. It is a life that may yet be valuable to Rome; and
though even now, when I speak of it, my cheek flushes with
humiliation, I am none the less grateful. It pleases me to see
that, in the conversations you have had with my officers, you have
borne yourself so modestly, and have made no mention of this; for
although I, myself, do not hesitate to speak of the mishap which
befell me, it is pleasant for me that it is not spoken of by
others. Believe me, then, that at all times you will find a sincere
friend in Titus."

John replied in suitable terms; thanking Titus for the promises he
had made, and disclaiming any merit in his success--which was but
the last effort of a beaten man, and was the result of the sudden
surprise, and not of any skill or bravery.

Upon the following morning, Titus furnished him with an escort far
beyond the confines of the camp; and then, taking to the hills,
John rejoined his companions, who had long since given him up as
dead. They could scarce credit him, when he told them that he had
been lying wounded, in the hands of the Romans; and were still more
surprised at hearing that he had been engaged in a personal
encounter with Titus. Of this John gave no details, beyond the fact
that, after throwing their javelins, the horse of Titus had fallen,
and they had fought hand to hand until, at last, he had fallen,
bleeding from a severe wound; and that Titus himself had been
wounded.

"But how was it he did not slay you?" was the question. "It seems
almost a miracle, especially after wounding T