"I seem to know his face," Josephus said, and then addressed John
in Hebrew.

"Who are you, young man?"

"I am that John whom you saved in the storm, on the Sea of Galilee,
and who fought with you at Jotapata."

"Is it possible?" Josephus exclaimed, in surprise. "I thought that
I, alone, was saved there."

"I lay hidden with the boy Jonas, who told us of the track down to
the water," John said, quietly, "and have since then been fighting
the Romans. While you--"

"While I have been their prisoner," Josephus broke in. "I know that
all my countrymen are enraged against me but, truly, without a
cause."

Josephus then translated to Titus what John had told him, adding
that the young man had served him with zeal and devotion, and that
he had an affection for him.

"Then I am the more glad that he has not lost his life," Titus
said, courteously.

"And now, my antagonist," he said, in Greek, to John, "I would tell
you that I bear you no malice; though you have shed my blood, and
brought somewhat of disgrace upon me--for truly it is a disgrace
for a Roman soldier, in heavy armor, to be overthrown by one who
carries but a light buckler as his protection. But I love a brave
man, even though he be a foe; and I honor those who are fighting
for what they believe to be the cause of their country. If I let
you go free, will you promise me not to bear arms again, against
Rome?"

"I could not promise that, Titus," John said, quietly, "even were
you to order me, now, to be taken out and slain. It is the first
duty of all Jews to fight for the Holy City and, so long as I live,
and the Holy City is in danger, so long I must fight for her. These
are the commands of my religion; and I cannot, even to save my
life, disobey them."

"I will not press you to do so," Titus said; "though Josephus,
here, will tell you that Rome is not an unkind lord, even to those
who have most withstood it. When you are well enough to leave us,
you shall go unharmed; though, could you have seen your way to
desist from hostility to us, I would have been a good friend to
you; and have promoted you to posts of honor, and that in countries
where you would not have been opposed to your countrymen. But if
you will not have it so, you are free to go; and remember that, at
any time, you have a friend in Titus; and that when this war is
over, and peace restored, if you come to me I will repeat the offer
that I have now made.

"Moreover, you may rely up