He was amazed, as well he might be, at the offer. Why should Simon be willing to undertake this enterprise, which, if detected, would put him at feud with Eleazar and the whole body of the Zealots? “My reason for this course I reserve till to-night,” was the only answer Simon would give to Crispus’ questioning. “But if you are willing that I should get safely from Jerusalem, why not let me arrange my departure in my own way?” “Do so, and die. You cannot escape in the daytime, and at night no one can leave the city without a signed order from Eleazar. But should you succeed in evading the sentinels at the gates you will find the public roads leading from Jerusalem patrolled by armed Zealots, who slay all whom they detect escaping from the city. ‘Jerusalem,’ they say, and rightly, ‘hath need of all her sons, and he who deserts her at this crisis shall receive a traitor’s doom.” How Vashti rejoiced that the Christians had seized the first opportunity to escape! “Your safety,” continued Simon, addressing Crispus, “lies in my escorting you; apart from me you will be stopped, interrogated, slain.” “I will avail myself of your offer,” said Crispus. “But I forewarn you that when the Roman army comes again from Cæsarea, as come it will, I shall be found within its ranks, and if we meet in battle look to no sparing from me.” “Be it so,” said Simon coldly. “To-night at the sixth hour be ready for the journey. I will bring two steeds with me. But a word of caution. Exchange that Roman costume for the Hebrew caftan and abba, if you would be safe.” With that Simon took his departure, directing his steps to the temple, where he found to his surprise that the Sanhedrim were holding a meeting in the hall Gazith, a meeting to which they had not thought fit to invite him. The object of their deliberations, so it seemed, was to appoint military governors for the various toparchies or districts, of not only Judæa, but also of Galilee, Idumæa, and Peræa, these three provinces having decided to throw in their lot with the Jewish cause. As the Sanhedrim, having dispatched this business, were departing, Simon encountered Eleazar on the threshold of the hall. “A council, and I not invited?” he said in an injured tone. “But there, let be! How have matters sped?” “Joseph ben Gorion and Ananus have been appointed rulers of Jerusalem.” “Priests both,” commented Simon. “_I_ am a priest,” returned the other. “Were these two like thee I would rejoice,” replied the Zealot, who recognized the military abilities of Eleazar. “Rejoice, then, that I am made ruler of Idumæa.” “Why, so I do. What more?” “Josephus hath rule over the two Galilees.” “Another priest, and a smooth-tongued, double-faced Pharisee; not to be trusted.” Eleazar proceeded to enumerate other appointments, few of which met with Simon’s approval. “It seems,” said the Zealot, when the other had finished his list, “that the Sanhedrim hath no need for my services.”