are doing naught to prepare against the storm. We
have gone to war, without counting the cost. We have affronted and
put to shame Rome, before whom all nations bow and, assuredly, she
will take a terrible vengeance. Another year, and who can say who
will be alive, and who dead--who will be wandering over the wasted
fields of our people, or who will be a slave, in Rome!

"In the times that are at hand, no man's life will be worth
anything; and therefore I say, wife, that though there be danger
and peril around the lad, let us not trouble overmuch; for he is,
like all of us, in God's hands."

Therefore, the parting took place on the shore. Simon solemnly
blessed John, and his mother cried over him. Mary was a little
surprised at these demonstrations, at what she regarded as a very
temporary separation; but her merry spirits were subdued at the
sight of her aunt's tears, although she, herself, saw nothing to
cry about.

She brightened up, however, when John whispered, as he said goodbye
to her:

"I shall come across the lake, as often as I can, to see how you
are getting on, Mary."

Then he took his place in the stern of the boat. The fishermen
dipped their oars in the water, and the boat drew away from the
little group, who stood watching it as it made its way across the
sparkling water to Hippos.

Upon landing, John at once went to the house where Josephus was
lodging. The latter gave him in charge to the leader of the little
group of men who had attached themselves to him, as his bodyguard.

"Joab," he said, "this youth will, henceforth, make one of your
party. He is brave and, I think, ready and quick witted. Give him
arms and see that he has all that is needful. Being young, he will
be able to mingle unsuspected among the crowds; and may obtain
tidings of evil intended me, when men would not speak, maybe,
before others whom they might judge my friends. He will be able to
bear messages, unsuspected; and may prove of great service to the
cause."

John found, at once, that there was nothing like discipline, or
regular duties, among the little band who constituted the bodyguard
of Josephus. They were simply men who, from affection for the
governor, and a hatred for those who, by their plots and
conspiracies, would undo the good work he was accomplishing, had
left their farms and occupations to follow and guard him.

Every Jewish boy received a certain training in the use of weapons,
in order to be prepared