eight companions, in one ship and, followed by two hundred and
thirty vessels, of various sizes, sailed towards Tiberias.

As they approached the town, they saw a great movement among the
population. Men and women were seen, crowding down to the
shore--the men holding up their hands, to show that they were
unarmed; the women wailing, and uttering loud cries of lamentation.

Josephus waited for an hour, until the ships from Hippos also came
up, and then caused them all to anchor off the town--but at such a
distance that the numbers of those on board could not be seen. Then
he advanced, in his own ship, to within speaking distance of the
land. The people cried out to him to spare the city, and their
wives and children; saying that they had been misled by evil men,
and regretted bitterly what they had done.

Josephus told them that, assuredly, they deserved that the city
should be wholly destroyed; for that now, when there was so much
that had to be done to prepare for the war which Rome would make
against the country, they troubled the country with their
seditions. The people set up a doleful cry for mercy; and Josephus
then said that, this time, he would spare them; but that their
principal men must be handed over to him.

To this the people joyfully agreed; and a boat, with ten of their
senate, came out to the vessel. Josephus had them bound, and sent
them on board one of the other ships. Another and another boat load
came off; until all the members of the senate, and many of the
principal inhabitants, were prisoners. Some of the men had been
drawn from the other ships, and put on board those with the
prisoners; and these then sailed away to Tarichea.

The people of Tiberias--terrified at seeing so many taken away, and
not knowing how many more might be demanded--now denounced a young
man, named Clitus, as being the leader of the revolt. Seven of the
bodyguard of Josephus had gone down the lake, with the prisoners;
and one Levi, alone, remained. Josephus told him to go ashore, and
to cut off one of the hands of Clitus.

Levi was, however, afraid to land, alone, among such a number of
enemies; whereupon Josephus addressed Clitus, and told him that he
was worthy of death, but that he would spare his life, if his two
hands were sent on board a ship. Clitus begged that he might be
permitted to keep one hand, to which Josephus agreed. Clitus then
drew his sword, and struck off his left hand. Josephus now
professed t