"

"I think so too," agreed Andrew heartily. Peter kept his thoughts to
himself. After all, why should Judas be the chief person? He was not
even a Galilean!

"I am going to talk to the others," declared James, hastening ahead.
Judas and the Zealot were walking ahead with Jesus.

"Listen!" said James to the disciples. "Do you realize that those two
men are going to try to push us out when we get to Jerusalem? We shall
not have any place in the new Kingdom at all, unless we protect our
rights!"

"We think the best way is to decide now who should be first," said John,
continuing. The others nodded vigorous agreement. "I think Simon Peter
is the one who should be our leader! After all, the Master chose him
first."

Silence settled over the men. James could not understand what was the
matter. Finally Philip said hesitantly, "We thought Levi might know how
to deal with the Romans."

"Oh, I don't think so!" exclaimed John. "He knows only the Romans in
Galilee."

"Besides, the best people in Jerusalem might hold it against him that he
was a taxgatherer," added James, without thinking how his words sounded.

Levi flared up. "Well, I am not so sure they will like a fish peddler
any better," he remarked bitingly.

"That is beside the point," snapped James. "Simon Peter was the
first--and you have to admit it!"

At that moment the Zealot and Judas joined the group. "What are you
talking about?" demanded the Zealot. When no one replied, Judas laughed
and remarked: "It's not hard to guess! Well, we shall see who is
greatest when we get to Jerusalem!"

It was a long and hot trip from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum, and the
men did not stop arguing until they came to the very door of Peter's
house. Their home-coming was spoiled. Everyone was in bad humor. Peter
remembered how he had longed to see his wife and children when he had
looked down on the Lake of Galilee from Mount Hermon. Now this bitter
dispute had completely taken away the pleasure of it. Peter's wife could
not understand why all the men, even her husband, ate supper in silence.
After they had finished eating, James rose and stood in the open
doorway, blocking it. He glared angrily at Judas and the Zealot.

He could hardly restrain his bitter resentment against these men, and he
was determined to make the Master put them in their place.

But it was Jesus who spoke first--before James could begin his angry
accusations. "What were you wrangling about on the