or arms we must rely upon stones, and upon the stoutest stakes we
can draw out from our huts. The only time that we have free to ourselves
is the hour after work is over, when we are allowed to go down to the
stream to wash and to stroll about as we will until the trumpet sounds
to order us to retire to our huts for the night.

"It is true that at that time the guards are particularly vigilant, and
that we are not allowed to gather into knots; and an Italian slave I
spoke to yesterday told me that he dared not speak to me, for the place
swarms with spies, and that any conversation between us would be sure
to be reported, and those engaged in it put to the hardest and cruelest
work. I propose, therefore, that tomorrow--for if it is to be done, the
sooner the better, before the men lose all their strength--the men shall
on their return from work at once eat their rations; then each man,
hiding a short stick under his garment and wrapping a few heavy stones
in the corner of his robe, shall make his way up towards the top of the
hill above the mine.

"No two men must go together--all must wander as if aimlessly among the
huts. When they reach the upper line on that side and see me, let all
rapidly close up, and we will make a sudden rush at the sentries above.
They cannot get more than five or six together in time to oppose us, and
we shall be able to beat them down with our stones. Once through them,
the heavy armed men will never be able to overtake us till we reach the
forest, which begins, I believe, about half a mile beyond the top."

The other two officers at once agreed to the plan; and when the camp was
still Malchus crept cautiously from hut to hut, telling his men of the
plan that had been formed and giving orders for the carrying of it out.

All assented cheerfully; for although the stronger were now becoming
accustomed to their work, and felt less exhausted than they had done the
first two days, there was not one but felt that he would rather suffer
death than endure this terrible fate. Malchus impressed upon them
strongly that it was of the utmost consequence to possess themselves of
the arms of any Roman soldiers they might overthrow, as they would to
a great extent be compelled to rely upon these to obtain food among the
mountains.

Even the men who were most exhausted, and those stricken with fever,
seemed to gain strength at once at the prospect of a struggle for
liberty, and when the gang turned out in