e against us."

"But I hear that the walling of the cities is well-nigh finished."

"That is so, Mary, and doubtless many of them will be able to make
a long defense but, after all, the taking of a city is a mere
question of time. The Romans have great siege engines, which
nothing can withstand but, even if the walls were so strong that
they could not be battered down, each city could, in time, be
reduced by famine. It is not for me, who am but a boy, to judge the
doings of my elders; but it seems to me that this walling of cities
is altogether wrong. They can give no aid to each other and, one by
one, must fall; and all within perish, or be made slaves, for the
Romans give no quarter when they capture a city by storm.

"It seems to me that it would be far better to hold Jerusalem,
only, with a strong force of fighting men; and for all the rest of
the men capable of carrying arms to gather among the hills, and
there to fight the Romans. When the legion of Cestius was destroyed
we showed that, among defiles and on rocky ground, our active,
lightly-armed men were a match for the Roman soldiers, in their
heavy armor; and in this way I think that we might check even the
legions of Vespasian. The women and the old men and children could
gather in the cities, and admit the Romans when they approached. In
that case they would suffer no harm; for the Romans are clement,
when not opposed.

"As it is, it seems to me that, in the end, destruction will fall
on all alike. Here in Galilee we have a leader, but he is hampered
by dissensions and jealousies. Samaria stands neutral. Jerusalem,
which ought to take the lead, is torn by faction. There is war in
her streets. She thinks only of herself, and naught of the country;
although she must know that, when the Romans have crushed down all
opposition elsewhere she must, sooner or later, fall. The country
seems possessed with madness, and I see no hope in the future."

"Save in the God of Israel," Mary said, gently; "that is what Simon
and Martha say."

"Save in him," John assented; "but, dear, He suffered us to be
carried away into Babylon; and how are we to expect His aid
now--when the people do naught for themselves, when His city is
divided in itself, when its streets are wet with blood, and its
very altars defiled by conflict? When evil men are made high
priests, and all rule and authority is at an end, what right have
we to expect aid at the hands of Jehovah?

"My greates