in all winter. It was in the island of Crete
that the famous labyrinth of King Minos, with its minotaur, was fabled
to exist.
[End illustration]

{455}

And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he
went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment seat,
and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which
had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him
many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said
in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the
temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and
said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things
before me?"

But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I
ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very
well knowest. If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything
worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if none of those things is
true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them.

"I Appeal Unto Caesar."

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council,
answered, "Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar
shalt thou go."

VIII

PAUL MAKES HIS DEFENSE BEFORE KING AGRIPPA AND QUEEN BERNICE.

"_This Man Doeth Nothing Worthy of Death or of Bonds_."

Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived
at Caesarea, and saluted Festus. And {456} as they tarried there many
days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a
certain man left a prisoner by Felix: about whom, when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,
asking for sentence against him. To whom I answered, 'that it is not the
custom of the Romans to give up any man, before the accused have the
accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense
concerning the matter laid against him.' When therefore they were come
together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the
judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. Concerning whom,
when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things
as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own
religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be
alive. And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these thing