have
many trials, and that their lives would be sought by wicked men, but
that they need not fear, for the very hairs of their head were
numbered, and that even a sparrow could not fall to the ground without
their Father, and they were of more value than many sparrows.

He said many other words to them that gave them comfort and strength.
They had left all to follow Him, and He showed them how, in losing
their all in this life they were finding much more than that--even
eternal life.

So, two by two, they went forth and left Jesus alone.

That great and good man, John the Baptist, was still in the prison of
King Herod Antipas, down by the Dead Sea. He had been there more than
a year, but no word came from the king saying that he was free. Queen
Herodias wanted him to be put to death for he had spoken against her
marriage with King Herod. She was a wicked woman, and the evil hate
the good. Herod believed in his heart that John should go free, but
for the Queen's sake he kept him in prison, but allowed his friends to
see him, and sometimes sent for him secretly to hear him talk of the
Kingdom of Heaven.

On the king's birthday he gave a great feast to his lords and captains,
and when they had been served with dainty food in dishes of silver and
gold, and had tasted the rare fruits and the costly wines, the dancing
girls came in to flit over the polished marble floor, and wave their
airy scarfs to please the king and his guests.

At last a young girl came in and danced alone. She was dressed like a
princess, and she was a princess.

Queen Herodias had sent her young daughter, Salome, where an innocent
girl and a queen's daughter should not have gone.

She pleased the king and his lords greatly, and when she had finished,
and had knelt before the king to hear what he had to say to her, he
cried,

"Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee," and with an
oath he declared that he would certainly do it if she should ask the
half of his kingdom.

She did not decide for herself, but ran to her mother, saying,

"What shall I ask?" And the cruel mother said,

"The head of John the Baptist."

King Herod did not expect this. He thought she might ask for some
jewel of great price, or perhaps a royal palace for her very own, and
when he heard her request he was very sorry. But an oath made before
his lords could not be broken.

He sent men to the prison, and the good prophet, who had never known