, from selfish reasons, to shrink from its execution.
Doubtless, at first I shall be misunderstood. They will say that I,
like Josephus, have turned traitor, and have gone over to the
Romans. Even were it so, I should have done no more than all the
people of Tiberias, Sepphoris, and other cities which submitted to
them.

"But I do not think this feeling will last long. All those who
fought with me outside Jerusalem, against the Romans, know that I
was faithful to the cause of my country. The few survivors of the
band I led into Jerusalem can testify that I fought until the
Temple fell, and that I escaped by my own devices, and not from any
agreement with the Romans.

"Moreover they will, in time, judge me by my acts. I shall rule, as
I said, as a Jew, and not as a Roman--rule as did the judges in the
old times, sitting under my own fig tree, here, and listening to
the complaints that may be brought to me--and I trust that wisdom
will be given to me, by the Lord, to judge wisely and justly among
them."

"You have decided well, my son," Simon said. "May God's blessing be
upon you!

"What think you, little Mary? How do you like the prospect of being
the wife of the ruler of this district?"

"I would rather that he had been the ruler only of this farm," Mary
said, "but I see that a great power of good has been given into his
hands, and it is not for me to complain."

"That reminds me," Simon said, "of what Martha and I were speaking
together, last night. You have both waited long. There is no
occasion for longer tarrying. The marriage feast will be prepared,
and we will summon our neighbours and friends to assemble here,
this day week.

"And now, John, what are you going to do?"

"I am going, father, at once to Hippos, the chief town in the
district. I shall see the authorities of the town, and the captain
of the Roman garrison, and lay before them the commission of
Caesar. I shall then issue a proclamation, announcing to all people
within the limits of the district that have been marked out that I
have authority, from Rome, to judge all matters that may come
before me, in the district; and that all who have causes of
complaint, or who have been wronged by any, will find me here,
ready to hear their cause, and to order justice to be rendered to
them. I shall also say that I shall shortly make a tour through the
district, to see for myself into the condition of things, and to
give aid to such as need it."

Gre