em, and several
of the incidents of the struggle in which he had taken part.

The next morning, he and Jonas took their places on board the ship,
and sailed for Rome. It was now far in November, and the passage
was a boisterous one; and the size of the waves astonished John,
accustomed, as he was, only to the short choppy seas of the Lake of
Galilee. Jonas made up his mind that they were lost and, indeed,
for some days the vessel was in imminent danger. Instead of passing
through the straits between Sicily and the mainland of Italy, they
were blown far to the west; and finally took shelter in the harbour
of Caralis, in Sardinia. Here they remained for a week, to refit
and repair damages, and then sailed across to Portus Augusti, and
then up the Tiber.

The centurion had done his best to make the voyage a pleasant one,
to John and his companion. Having been informed that the former was
the bearer of a signet ring of Titus, and would have an audience
with him, he was anxious to create as good an impression as
possible; but it was not until Caralis was reached that John
recovered sufficiently from seasickness to take much interest in
what was passing round him. The travellers were greatly struck with
the quantity of shipping entering and leaving the mouth of the
Tiber; the sea being dotted with the sails of the vessels bearing
corn from Sardinia, Sicily, and Africa; and products of all kinds,
from every port in the world.

The sight of Rome impressed him less than he had expected. Of its
vastness he could form no opinion; but in strength, and beauty, it
appeared to him inferior to Jerusalem. When he landed, he saw how
many were the stately palaces and temples; but of the former none
were more magnificent than that of Herod. Nor was there one of the
temples to be compared, for a moment, with that which had so lately
stood, the wonder and admiration of the world, upon Mount Moriah.

The centurion procured a commodious lodging for him and, finding
that Titus was still in Rome, accompanied him the next day to the
palace. Upon saying that he was the bearer of a letter to Titus,
the centurion was shown into the inner apartments; John being left
in the great antechamber, which was crowded with officers waiting
to see Titus, when he came out--to receive orders, pay their
respects, or present petitions to him.

The centurion soon returned, and told John to follow him.

"Titus was very pleased," he whispered, "when he read t