A burly, bluff, red-faced man he looked less like a warrior than some honest old farmer who had just for sport’s sake put on the scarlet paludamentum of a general. He greeted Crispus right heartily, and wanted to know where he had been hiding himself so long, a question which by the way Berenice had not thought of asking. So Crispus related how upon his proscription he had taken refuge with the Christians first at Pella and then at Antioch, and how, whenever he was in danger of being detected by the minions of Nero, the brethren would convey him by devious routes to some other Christian community; and how, in the end, convinced by infallible argument that theirs was the true and only religion, he himself had joined the sect. “A good soldier marred!” growled Vespasian, on hearing this last. “My cousin Flavius Clemens is a Christian. An excellent character once, but now look at him! Takes no interest in state affairs or military matters. This world is nothing to him. A woman and no man! mild-mannered, lacking in spirit and backbone.” “There is no reason, sire, why a Christian should not be a good soldier. As a matter of fact, I have come hither to ask for a place in the army that is to be sent against Jerusalem; I care not how humble the post so long as it puts me in the forefront of the battle.” “Now, that’s the way to talk,” cried Vespasian delightedly. “A place in the army? You shall have it. There’s a post waiting for you. The First Cohort of the Twelfth Legion hath lost its tribune.” “Dead?” asked Crispus. “Dead! No! Degraded! ’Twas but a few days ago he received his baton. Yesterday he came to me, reeking with perfumes. Ye gods! is it a soldier’s business to be perfuming himself. ‘I would rather you had smelled of garlic,’ I cried. ‘Return to the ranks.’--You shall captain that cohort. You have heard of the Twelfth Legion before, eh? ’Twas one of those that fled at Beth-horon. They are longing to redeem their lost character. You shall show them how. You accept the post? Good! Come with me and let me show the First Cohort its new tribune.” As they made their way along the shore two figures came walking slowly towards them. One was a legionary, wearing an armlet to which was attached a chain, two cubits in length, its other end being fastened to a similar armlet clasped round the wrist of a somewhat distinguished-looking personage. It was a Jewish captive and his Roman guard. The prisoner saluted Vespasian; and, as if well acquainted with Crispus, gave him a friendly smile. Crispus gazed, and then suddenly recognizing the captive he there and then tendered him a warm thanksgiving; for the captive was none other than Josephus, the man who had been instrumental in saving his life by begging his supposed corpse from Eleazar. When Josephus had resumed his walking, Vespasian remarked: