ng while to come. As it
is, I must consider the question, where and how I can find subsistence."

As he stood alone under the trees, perplexed and troubled, Dathan
appeared in the distance, and, spying Judas, said to himself, "The
occasion is favorable. He is alone and seems much perplexed. I must
try everything in order to secure him."

Then stepping forward he laid his hand upon the shoulder of Judas,
exclaiming, "Friend Judas!"

Judas started as if a serpent had stung him and striking his head with
his hand cried, "Who calls?"

"A friend," said Dathan; "has anything sad happened to thee? Thou art
so absorbed in thought?"

Judas, staring wildly, asked, "Who art thou?"

"Thy friend, thy brother," cried Dathan.

Judas, staring backward, exclaimed: "Thou art my friend, my brother?"

"At least," said Dathan, "I wish to be so. How is it with the master?
I also would like to become one of his disciples."

Judas said, "One of his disciples?"

"Why?" said Dathan, "hast thou then forsaken him? Are things not well
with him? Tell me that I may know how to act."

Then Judas said unto him, "Canst thou keep silence?"

"Be assured of that," said Dathan.

"Then," answered Judas, "it is no longer going well with him. He says
himself his last hour has come." And then Judas rapidly ran over the
various predictions of disaster which he had heard from the lips of
Jesus. "I intend to forsake him, for he will yet bring us all to ruin.
See here," said he, producing the almost empty purse, "I am treasurer,
see how it stands with us."

"Friend," said Dathan, shrugging his shoulders, "I shall remain as I
am." At this moment six of Dathan's companions came up.

Judas, alarmed, asked, "Who are these? I will not say another word."

"Stay, friend," said one of the newcomers, "you will not regret it."

"Why have you come here?" asked Judas.

"We were going back to Jerusalem and we will bear thee company if it
please thee."

Judas, suspiciously eyeing them, asked, "Do you also perhaps wish to go
after the master?"

Then said the traders, "Has he gone to Jerusalem?"

"For the last time," said Judas, "so he says."

"What!" said they, "for the last time? Is he then never going to leave
the land of Judea again?"

"Why do you ask me this so eagerly?" said Judas, "do you wish to become
his followers?"

"Why not?" said the traders with a laugh, "if the prospects are good;"
and Dathan added, "Explain to us, Judas,