k to me, even if
Jerusalem falls. This is the third time your life has been spared
and, if we count that day when we were so nearly drowned together
on the lake, we may say that four times your life has been saved,
when it seemed all but lost; and I believe, now, that it will be
saved to the end."

"I hope for your sake, Mary, and for my father and mother's, that
it may be so. I have so much to make my life happy that I will
assuredly do all in my power to save it. As you know, I have never
held with those who would destroy themselves, when all seemed lost.
My idea is: a man should fight until the last; but should, if
possible, provide some way of escape, when fighting is no longer of
avail.

"Fortunately, if I do not fall in battle, I have a talisman which
will bring me safe to you. Titus has given me a signet ring which
will, at all times, procure me access to him. He has promised that,
at all times, he will be my friend and, should I fall into the
hands of his soldiers again, he will let me go free, and will give
me the lives of any who may be dear to me."

"This Titus must be a noble enemy," Mary said, with tears in her
eyes. "He is strong, and kind, and generous. Had such a man been
raised up as the leader of our people, instead of the leader of our
foes, how different it might have been!"

"Yes, indeed," John agreed; "truly we are sheep without a shepherd;
nay, we are sheep whose leaders are ravening wolves, who devour
their own flock."

The time passed, quietly and happily save for the grief which the
tidings of the terrible doings in Jerusalem caused. The two years'
respite which the city had obtained, when Vespasian marched away
from Jericho, instead of being turned to good account, had brought
even greater evils than before. Simon son of Gioras, having wasted
all the country towards Idumea, began to threaten Jerusalem. The
Zealots marched out against him, but were driven back to the city.
Simon--thinking that the Idumeans, believing him to be occupied
with Jerusalem, would have grown careless--suddenly entered their
country at the head of twenty thousand men.

The Idumeans flew to arms, and met him with twenty-five thousand
men; and a furious battle ensued, in which neither party gained the
advantage. Simon retreated, and the Idumeans dispersed. Simon
raised an even larger force than before, and advanced with forty
thousand irregular troops, besides his heavy-armed soldiers. They
took Hebron, and was