ldiers. Their hands were tied behind them, and
the troop resumed its way. They were traveling by the road along
which the little party had just come. Whenever a house or small
village was seen, half of the troop galloped off. Flames were soon
seen to rise, and parties of wretched captives were driven in.

When about halfway to Capitolias, the troop halted. The horses were
turned into a field of ripe corn, to feed. Half the men sat down to
a meal, while the remainder stood on guard over the captives. John
had whispered to Jonas to work his hands so as to loosen his cords,
if possible; and the lad, whose bones were very small, soon said
that he could slip the ropes off without difficulty.

It was harder work for John and, indeed, while on the march he did
not venture to exert himself, fearing that the movements would be
noticed by his guards. But when they halted, he got into the middle
of the group of captives, and tried his best to loosen the cords.
Jonas was close beside him.

"It is of no use, Jonas," he said. "The cords are cutting into my
flesh, and they will not yield in the slightest."

"Let me try, John.

"Stand round close," Jonas said to the other captives, in Hebrew.
"I want to loosen my friend's knots. If he can get away, he will
bring rescue to you all."

The others moved so as to completely cover the movements of Jonas;
and the lad, stooping down, applied his teeth to the knot in John's
cords, and soon succeeded in loosening it.

"That will be enough, Jonas. I can draw my hand through, now."

Jonas again stood up.

"When I make an effort to escape, Jonas, do you dash between the
horsemen, and run for it. In the confusion you will get a start,
and they will not overtake you until you are across the river. Once
on the hill, you are safe. If you remain behind and I get away, as
likely as not one of the soldiers would send a javelin through you,
as being my companion."

After half an hour's halt, the Romans again mounted their horses
and turned to retrace their steps. Two Romans rode on either side
of the captives, who were about fifty in number; and John gradually
made his way to the front of the party, between the two leading
horsemen.

The officer, talking to his sergeant, rode a few paces ahead, in
the middle of the road. Since the cords had been loosened, John had
continued to work his fingers until the circulation was restored.
Suddenly he slipped his hands from their fastenings, gave three