, all of you. Pray that you will not fail me now when I need
you most! I know you want to be my true friends--but you have not the
strength!"

Hard as the three men tried, they could not stay awake. Twice more Jesus
came and aroused them. The last time Peter awoke the moon was high, but
was almost hidden behind a cloud. He could make out the faint outline of
the figure of Jesus standing beside him. A chilly wind had sprung up and
rattled the leaves. The night wind carried a warning Peter could not
understand. James and John slept heavily.

"Still resting?" said Jesus. The two men stirred and looked at Jesus,
greatly ashamed. "Come! Get up! The hour has come when the Son of Man is
to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men!" Through the black woods
rang the sound of a sword clanging against a steel shin guard. Peter
leaped to his feet. "James! John!"

Through the gnarled trees the men saw a sight that struck terror into
their hearts: led by Roman soldiers, a mob carrying torches was
advancing toward them. The yellow flames whipped in the wind and cast
hideous twisting shadows as they came nearer the Garden.

"They must know we are here!" whispered James. "Come on! Let's get out
of here!" The two fishermen fled into the darkness.

Torchlight glinted on spears and helmets. There was no sign of the other
eight disciples. Peter stood rooted to the spot from which he had risen.
Jesus watched calmly. Some in the noisy crowd carried clubs. The light
from the flares struck through the trees and fell full on Jesus' face.

"There he is!" The cry echoed in the Garden. A wall of smoking torches
and gleaming swords and shields closed around Peter and Jesus. There was
no escape now.

A Roman soldier stepped forward. "Hold up that torch!" he commanded his
aide. In the wavering light he peered into the faces of Peter and Jesus.
Another figure stepped from the group.

"Judas!" Peter was stunned.

"Hail, Master!" said Judas. Then very deliberately, as though forcing
himself, he kissed Jesus.

"Do you betray me with a kiss, Judas?" asked Jesus, sadly. The traitor
could not bear the voice of the man he had once called his Master; he
turned and rushed out of the circle of Jews and soldiers. Peter never
saw him again.

The captain gave a sharp command, and several soldiers stepped toward
Jesus. The group of men broke into angry shouts. Jesus' stern voice rang
through the clamor. "Why do you come to arrest me with swords and club