Dathan and the traders left him.

Judas was now alone. He walked to and fro under the trees and said to
himself: "My word is given; I shall not repent of it. Shall I avoid
the good fortune which is coming to meet me? Yes, my fortune is made.
I will do what I promised, but will make them pay me in advance. If
then the priests succeed in taking him prisoner, if his reign is
over--I have assured my own prospects and will besides become famous
throughout all Judea, as a man who has helped to save the law of Moses,
and shall reap praise and glory. But if the master should gain the
victory, then--yes, then I will cast me down repentant at his feet, for
he is good. I have never seen him drive the penitent from him. He
will take me back again and then I shall have the credit of bringing
about the decision. Anyhow, I'll take good care to leave a bridge
behind so that should I be unable to go forward I can return. The plan
is well thought out. Judas, thou art a prudent man. And yet I feel a
little afraid to meet the master, for I shall not be able to bear his
keen, searching look, and my comrades will see by my face that I am
a----No, I will not be that. I am no traitor! What am I going to do
but let the Jews know where the master is to be found? That is no
betrayal. Betrayal is something more than that. Away with these
fancies! Courage, Judas, thy future is at stake."

Judas, who had started with horror when he first mentioned the word
traitor, resolved to play his appointed role and departed to find Jesus.

CHAPTER III.

THE LAST SUPPER.

O Judas, art thou blinded quite
By untamed greed of gold and gear?
And would thou sell thy master dear
For base gain? Shudders not thy soul in dire affright?
Thy lot has passed into the night,
Already doth thy doom appear.

"'Tis one of you that shall betray,"
Three times the Lord thus spoke to him--
Who's purposed his own soul to slay--
Yet is his conscience dull and dim,
For Satan rules his heart within
And lust for gold that's won by sin.

"Oh Judas! but one moment stay.
Oh! finish not this foulest deed!"
But no! for deaf and blind with greed,
To the council Judas hastes away,
And there repeats in evil trade,
The bargain once with Dathan made.

And it came to pass that when Peter and John were still on their way to
Jerusalem, Baruch, the servant of Mark, came out into the street with a
pitcher of water, which he w