bounds forward, and vaulted on to the back of the horse behind the
officer. He had drawn the knife which had been hidden in his
girdle; and he threw one arm round the officer, while he struck the
knife deep into the horse's flank. The animal reared in the air and
then, at a second application of the knife, sprang forward at the
top of his speed, before the astonished Roman knew what had
happened. John held him in his arms like a vice and, exerting all
his strength, lifted him from the saddle and hurled him headlong to
the ground; where he lay, bleeding and insensible.

John had now time to look round. Struck with astonishment at the
sudden incident which had passed under their eyes, the Romans had,
at first, instinctively reined in their horses. The sergeant had
been the first to recover himself and, shouting to the five leading
soldiers on each side to follow him, had spurred in pursuit, just
as his officer was hurled to the ground. But John was already some
fifty yards away, and felt sure that he could not be overtaken.

He had remarked the horse ridden by the officer, while they were
eating; and saw that it was of far higher blood and swifter pace
than any of those ridden by the soldiers. His own weight, too, was
far less than that of the heavy-armed men in pursuit of him and,
with a shout of scornful defiance, and a wave of his hand, he
continued his course. Before a mile had been passed he had left his
pursuers far in the rear and, seeing the hopelessness of the
pursuit, they presently reined up and returned to the main body.

Jonas had carried out John's instructions and, the instant the
latter sprang on the officer, he slipped under the belly of the
horse next to him and ran, at the top of his speed, for the river.
It was but a hundred yards away, and he had gone three quarters the
distance before any of the soldiers--confused at the attack upon
their officer, doubtful whether the whole of the captives were not
about to fall upon them, and without orders how to act, set out in
pursuit.

Jonas plunged into the stream, dived to the other side, and then
sprang forward again, just as three or four soldiers reached the
bank he had left. Their javelins were hurled after him, but without
effect and, with a shout of triumph, he sprang up the hillside, and
was soon safe from pursuit.

As soon as he saw that the Romans had turned back, John sprang from
his horse, unstrapped the heavy armor which covered its chest a