ch three miles to our one; and
as for our Arabs, if we sent them in pursuit, they would soon come
flying back to us, leaving a goodly portion of their numbers dead
behind them. He was the most formidable enemy we had, outside
Jerusalem; and had all the Jews fought as he did, instead of
shutting themselves up in their walled towns, we might have been
years before we subdued that pestilent country."

"Did you ever see this John of Gamala? Do you know what he was
like, personally? Was he another giant, like this Simon who was
executed at the triumph, the other day?"

"None of us ever saw him--that is, to know which was he, though
doubtless we may have seen him, in the fights--but all the country
people we questioned, and such wounded men as fell into our
hands--for we never once captured one of his band, unharmed--all
asserted that he was little more than a lad. He was strong, and
skilful in arms, but in years a youth. They all believed that he
was a sort of prophet, one who had a mission from their God.

"But why are you asking?"

"I will tell you, presently," Tibellus said; "but first answer me
another question. Was it not your legion that was at Carmelia, with
Titus, when Vespasian lay at Hebron?"

There was a general assent.

"Did you ever hear of a wounded Jew being brought in, and tended
there by order of Titus?"

"We did," the general said; "and here is Plancus, who was in
command of that part of the horse of the legion which formed the
bodyguard of Titus, and who brought him into the camp. He will tell
you about it."

"Titus had received a message from Vespasian that he wished to see
him," the officer signified by the general said, "and rode off at
once, telling us to follow him. We armed and mounted, as soon as we
could; but Titus was well mounted, and had a considerable start. We
came up to him in a valley. He was standing by the side of his dead
horse. He was slightly wounded, and his dirtied armour showed that
he had had a sharp fight. Close by lay a Jew, who seemed to be
dead. Titus ordered him to be carried back to the camp, and cared
for by his own leech. That is all I know about it."

"I can tell you more," the general said, "for Titus himself told me
that he had had a desperate fight with the Jew; that he had wounded
him severely, and was on the point of finishing him, when the Jew
sprang at him suddenly and the sudden shock threw him to the
ground; and that, strange as it might seem, although