, indeed," Josephus said, gravely. "I have but the
seven armed men who accompanied me from Tiberias, here. All those
who were assembled in the city I bade disperse, so soon as I
arrived; in order that they might go to their towns, or villages,
for the Sabbath. Were I to send round the country, I could speedily
get a great force together but, in a few hours, the Sabbath will
begin; and it is contrary to the law to fight upon the Sabbath,
even though the necessity be great.

"And yet, if the people of Tiberias march hither, we can hardly
hope to resist successfully; for the men of the town are too few to
man the full extent of the walls. It is most necessary to put down
this rising, before King Agrippa can send large numbers of troops
into Tiberias; and yet, we can do nothing until the Sabbath is
past.

"Nor would I shed blood, if it can be avoided. Hitherto I have put
down every rising, and caused Sepphoris, Tiberias, and other cities
to expel the evildoers, and return to obedience, by tact--and by
the great force which I could bring against them--and without any
need of bloodshed. But this time, I fear, great trouble will come
of it; since I cannot take prompt measures, and the enemy will have
time to organize their forces, and to receive help from John of
Gischala and other robbers--to say nothing of the Romans."

Josephus walked up and down the room, in agitation, and then stood
looking out into the harbor.

"Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly, "we may yet frighten them into
submission. Call in Joab."

When Joab entered Josephus explained to him, in a few words, the
condition of things at Tiberias; and then proceeded:

"Send quickly to the principal men of the town, and bid them put
trusty men at each of the gates, and let none pass out. Order the
fighting men to man the walls, in case those of Tiberias should
come hither, at once. Then let one or two able fellows embark on
board each of the boats and vessels in the port, taking with them
two or three of the infirm and aged men. Send a fast galley across
to Hippos; and bid the fishermen set out, at once, with all their
boats, and join us off Tiberias. We will not approach close enough
to the city for the people to see how feebly we are manned but,
when they perceive all these ships making towards them, they will
think that I have with me a great army, with which I purpose to
destroy their city."

The orders were very quickly carried out. Josephus embarked, with
his