thou and whence hast thou come?"

"A _kurios_ of Sidon I am. From afar have I journeyed to bring the
glad news that one hath arisen mighty in power and wisdom to succor the
oppressed. Hear ye what the spirit of the gods hath anointed him to
do: Preach the gospel to the poor--heal the broken-hearted--give
deliverance to the captives--sight to the blind and LIBERTY to the
bruised and enslaved! Twice already hath a great and mighty following
sought to crown him King, and he would not!"

"Whence cometh he?" a dozen eager voices asked.

"From the province of Galilee, in Palestine, and when cometh again the
Passover of the Jews, when Jerusalem, that great city, is thronged with
the population of the world, then shall he be made King--King of the
People--the toiling people! And this King shall break every shackle on
every human body and free from cave and dungeon, every human soul. But
one thing there remaineth to determine. This is the added strength of
Roman legions in Jerusalem at the Passover. Would that the gods could
let us know the mind of Pilate!"

As he spoke these words, one who had eagerly listened moved from the
rear toward him. The man stood head and shoulders above any other of
the number and his face was disfigured with a deep and desperate scar
across one cheek. He listened intently as a speech-maker said to the
Phoenician:

"And is this Galilean wiser and braver than Sparticus? Did not this
noble lover of human liberty slay Roman legions as a fierce wind
strikes down forest leaves? And yet was he not at last hacked to bits
and his loyal followers hung on crosses to fatten birds of prey?"

"Aye, but Sparticus was betrayed by one of his own," a voice called.

"So will the Galilean be betrayed," came the reply.

"The Galilean hath a great following of men strong and zealous who
would go with him to the death."

"Were not the Lusitanians strong and brave? Was not Lusitania ravished
and stripped? And who remained after the massacre of Galba? Success
cometh not by uprising but by forming one great brotherhood which, when
formed, will command all power."

The discussion following these different opinions had scarce begun when
the torch-bearer touched the Phoenician on the arm saying, "Thou hast
opened the gates of controversy, yet we can not tarry to the end.
Follow thy guide."

As they turned to go, the visitor felt his hand caught in a mighty grip
and turned to see a scarred face gazing