m but a lad among you, and I recognize that it is God who has
so strangely brought me into eminence but, having done that much,
he may now choose some other instrument. If this should be so--if,
as may well be, one of you should obtain far greater success than
may attend me--I shall be only too glad to lay aside this authority
over the rest, with which you are willing to invest me, and to
follow him as cheerfully as you now propose to follow me."

The meeting soon afterwards broke up, and the news that John of
Gamala--as he was generally called, from the success he had gained
over the Romans before that town--had assumed the supreme command
of the various bands which were being raised, in eastern Galilee
and on the east of Jordan, spread rapidly; and greatly increased
the popular feeling of hope, and confidence. Fresh bands were
formed, the leaders all receiving their appointments from him.
Before the spring arrived, there were twenty bands formed and
organized, in readiness to march down towards Jerusalem, as soon as
the Roman legions got into motion.

Chapter 11: A Tale Of Civil Strife.

Towards the spring, Simon and his family were surprised by a visit
from the Rabbi Solomon Ben Manasseh. It was a year since they had
last seen him, when he called to take leave of them, on starting
for Jerusalem. They scarcely recognized him as he entered, so old
and broken did he look.

"The Lord be praised that I see you all, safe and well!" he said,
as they assisted him to dismount from the donkey that he rode. "Ah,
my friends, you are happy, indeed, in your quiet farm; free from
all the distractions of this terrible time! Looking round here, and
seeing you just as I left you--save that the young people have
grown, somewhat--I could think that I left you but yesterday, and
that I have been passing through a hideous nightmare.

"Look at me! My flesh has fallen away, and my strength has gone. I
can scarce stand upon my legs, and a young child could overthrow
me. I have wept, till my tears are dried up, over the misfortunes
of Jerusalem; and yet no enemy has come within sight of her walls,
or dug a trench against her. She is devoured by her own children.
Ruin and desolation have come upon her."

The old man was assisted into the house, and food and wine placed
before him. Then he was led into the guest chamber, and there slept
for some hours. In the evening, he had recovered somewhat of his
strength, and joined the party