in prison!"

Joseph answered, "There is one to be seen from whom we can inquire."

John said, "The best thing will be to go to Nicodemus; he surely knows
what is happening to our dear Master."

"Yes, let us go," said Mary. "Every moment increases my grief in this
uncertainty about the fate of my son."

"Be strong in faith, dear mother," said John. "Whatever happens it is
God's will." Suddenly a horrible noise of confused voices and tramping
feet was heard in the distance. From the tumult could be heard the
words: "On, on with him!" Mary started and they all stood listening
while the noise came nearer and nearer.

"What terrible noise is that?" said Joseph. Then stood they all still
listening to hear what it might signify.

Salome said, "As if of a thousand voices. What can it be?"

As they listened the procession to Golgotha was already half way down
the street of Annas. In front marched the centurion holding in one
hand the staff of authority, followed by Jesus, staggering painfully
under the burden of his cross. Around Jesus stood four executioners
who brutally goaded him forward. Behind Jesus came the thieves, each
bearing his own cross. Behind them came soldiers carrying spears, in
the midst of whom on a white horse rode a horseman carrying the Roman
banner on which were the letters S. P. Q. R. By the side of the
soldiery walked Annas and Caiaphas followed by all the council of the
Sanhedrin. All around crowded a numerous multitude, whose shouts were
heard almost without intermission. "Let him die!" they cried, "and all
who hold with him." Jesus, who had already fallen under the cross,
walked slowly and with difficulty.

One of the executioners said unto him, "Is the burden already too
heavy?" and the people shouted, "Drive him with violence, that we may
get to Golgotha."

The second executioner cried, "Take care, or he will be down."

The progress was so slow that not even the head of the procession could
be seen from where the two Marys and John were standing, wondering what
the noise might mean.

Joseph said, "What shall we do? In this commotion we cannot venture
into the city."

But Mary said, "What may this noise signify? Surely it does not
concern my son."

As the noise waxed ever louder, Joseph said, "It seems as if an
insurrection had broken out."

Then said John, "We had better stop here till the storm passes over."

While they stood waiting and wondering Simon of Cyrene