wizards who could work them wrong, they would not need to send
an army to fight against them; but as the people still clamored, he
got the men privately on board a ship, and sailed across the lake
with them to Hippos; where he dismissed them, with many presents.

As soon as the news came that Josephus had come to Hippos, Simon
set out with Martha, John, and Mary, to see him. Josephus received
them kindly, and would permit no thanks for what he had done.

"Your son is a brave youth," he said to Simon, "and I would gladly
have him near me, if you would like to have it so. This is a time
when there are greater things than planting vineyards, and
gathering in harvests, to be done; and there is a need for brave
and faithful men. If, then, you and your wife will give the lad to
me, I will see to him, and keep him near me. I have need of
faithful men with me, for my enemies are ever trying to slay me. If
all goes well with the lad, he will have a good opportunity of
rising to honor.

"What say you? Do not give an answer hastily, but think it over
among yourselves and, if you agree to my proposal, send him across
the lake to me."

"It needs no thought, sir," Simon said. "I know well that there are
more urgent things, now, than sowing and reaping; and that much
trouble and peril threaten the land. Right glad am I that my son
should serve one who is the hope of Israel, and his mother will not
grudge him for such service. As to advancement, I wish nothing
better than that he should till the land of his fathers; but none
can say what the Lord has in store for us, or whether strangers may
not reap what I have sown. Thus, then, the wisdom which he will
gain, in being with you, is likely to be a far better inheritance
than any I can give him.

"What say you, Martha?"

"I say as you do, Simon. It will grieve me to part with him, but I
know that such an offer as that which my lord Josephus makes is
greatly for his good. Moreover, the manner in which he was saved
from death seems to show that the Lord has something for his hand
to do, and that his path is specially marked out for him. To refuse
to let him go would be to commit the sin of withstanding God--

"Therefore, my lord, I willingly give up my son to follow you."

"I think that you have decided wisely," Josephus said. "I tarry
here, for tonight, and tomorrow cross to Tiberias; therefore, let
him be here by noon."

Mary was the most silent of the party, on the way home