By this work he got a great deal of money from the rich citizens; and with this money, which Josephus had enabled him to gain, his only thought was how to ruin Josephus, and to be made governor of Galilee himself. He desired his fellow robbers to watch for Josephus, and to take him prisoner if they could; or, else, to see if there were any other robbers about, that he might accuse Josephus of carelessness in his government. An opportunity soon occurred of raising a great clamour against Josephus. A party of young men, who guarded the plains, met with Agrippa's steward, and robbed him of a number of silver cups which he was carrying with him, as well as six hundred pieces of gold, and some very costly suits of clothes. The young men brought these spoils to Josephus, hoping that, at least, they should come in for a part of them. But Josephus blamed them for the robbery, and sent the spoils to a friend of his to take care of till he could restore them to their owners. The young men were very angry at Josephus, for refusing them a part of what they had stolen; and ran to their villages, telling every one as they passed that Josephus was going to betray them. John joined in the outcry, and the people were so irritated, that in the morning an immense number assembled in the market-place at Taricheæ, calling out upon him as if he were a traitor. The friends and guards of Josephus were so frightened, that all but four of them ran away. These four came and awakened him just as the people were going to set fire to his house; but he would not be persuaded by them to make his escape. He leaped out of the window, and shewed himself to his enemies with his clothes rent, and ashes sprinkled on his head. Some pitied his sad condition, and others reproached him. At last they allowed him to speak, and then he told them, that he neither meant to keep the money for himself, nor to send it back to Agrippa, but he intended to reserve it to build a wall round Taricheæ, which was very much wanted; and that he had kept the gold and silver privately, because he was afraid of the inhabitants of Tiberias taking it; but that, if the people wished, he was ready to restore it to them immediately. The people of Taricheæ loudly approved of what he said. But the inhabitants of Tiberias called him names; and, when Josephus returned to his own house, they followed him and threatened him. Josephus, however, had another stratagem ready for them: he mounted the top of his house, and told them that if they would send their leaders to him, he would comply with their demands. So the leaders went into the house; and Josephus went down, and led them into the most private rooms, and ordered his servants to give them a good whipping. good whipping. The other people, wondering what could detain their leaders so long, were at last let in, and were so frightened at seeing the punishment of their leaders, that they all threw down their arms and ran away. 66 Truly, a rather barbarous way of punishing them," said Aunt Mary, "but I doubt if they did not deserve it." "I wonder," said Anne, "if poor Josephus will get any rest now? If I were him I would run away to Rome, and not stay with such ungrateful people, always suspecting and abusing him." John was much vexed at this escape of Jo |