iumph which was sure to be accorded to
him, on his return after his victory.

The next day the ring, the badge of slavery, was fastened round the
necks of the two new purchases. John had already hidden in the
ground the precious ring, as he rightly expected that he would have
to work barefooted. They were at once set to work in the garden.
John was surprised at the number and variety of the plants and
trees which filled it; and at the beauty and care with which it was
laid out, and tended. Had it not been for the thought of the grief
that they would be suffering, at home, he would--for a time--have
worked contentedly. The labour was no harder than that on his
father's farm; and as he worked well and willingly Philo, who was
at the head of the slaves employed in the garden--which was a very
extensive one--did not treat him with harshness.

Jonas, although less skilful, also gave satisfaction; and two
months passed without any unpleasant incident. The Roman slaves,
save in exceptional instances, were all well treated by their
masters, although these had power of life and death over them. They
were well fed and, generally, had some small money payment made
them. Sometimes, those who were clever at a handicraft were let out
to other masters, receiving a portion of the wages they earned; so
that they were frequently able, in old age, to purchase their
freedom.

There were four other slaves who worked in the garden. Two of these
were Nubians, one a Parthian, the other a Spaniard. The last died,
of homesickness and fever, after they had been there six weeks; and
his place was filled up by another Jew, from a cargo freshly
arrived.

From him, John learned what had taken place after he had left
Jerusalem. The bands of Simon and John of Gischala were so much
weakened, by death and desertion, and were so enfeebled by famine,
that they could not hope to withstand the regular approaches of the
Roman arms, for any length of time. The two leaders therefore
invited Titus to a parley; and the latter, being desirous of
avoiding more bloodshed, of saving the Palace of Herod and the
other great buildings in the upper city, and of returning to Rome
at once, agreed to meet them. They took their places at opposite
ends of the bridge across the Tyropceon Valley.

Titus spoke first, and expostulated with them on the obstinacy
which had already led to the destruction of the Temple, and the
greater part of the city. He said that all the w