s were
ubiquitous. I am glad to meet you, as are we all. A Roman cherishes
no malice against an honourable foe, and such we always found you;
and I trust you have no malice for the past."

"None," John said. "I regard you as the instruments of God for the
punishment of my people. We brought our misfortunes upon ourselves,
by the rebellion--which would have seemed madness had it not,
doubtless, been the will of God that we should so provoke you, and
perish. All I ask, now, is to return to my father's farm; and to
resume my life there. If I could do that, without going to Rome, I
would gladly do so."

"That can hardly be," Tibellus said. "The rule is that when one
appeals to Caesar, to Caesar he must go. The case is at once taken
out of our hands. Besides, I should have to report the fact to
Rome, and Titus may wish to see you, and might be ill pleased at
hearing that you had returned to Galilee without going to see him.
Besides, it may be some time before all animosity between the two
peoples dies out there; and you might obtain from him an imperial
order, which would prove a protection to yourself, and family,
against any who might desire to molest you. If for this reason,
alone, it would be well worth your while for you to proceed to
Rome."

Three days later, Tibellus told John that a ship would sail, next
morning; and that a centurion, in charge of some invalided
soldiers, would go in her.

"I have arranged for you to go in his charge, and have instructed
him to accompany you to the palace of Titus, and facilitate your
having an interview with him. I have given him a letter to present
to Titus, with greetings, saying why I have sent you to him.

"Here is a purse of money, to pay for what you may require on the
voyage; and to keep you, if need be, at Rome until you can see
Titus, who may possibly be absent.

"You owe me no thanks," he said, as John was about to speak. "Titus
would be justly offended, were the bearer of his signet ring sent
to him without due care and honour."

That evening Tibellus gave a banquet, at which the general and
several officers were present. The total number present was nine,
including John and the host--this being the favourite number for
what they regarded as small, private entertainments. At large
banquets, hundreds of persons were frequently entertained. After
the meal John, at the request of Tibellus, related to the officers
the manner of his escapes from Jotapata and Jerusal