AndthejarlAgard’ssteelwasout，andhisJutsjoininghimasheshouted:
\"Abearcub！Abearcub！ByOdin，letthecubfight！\"
Andthere，underthatroaringroofofBrunanbuhr，thebabblingdrink-boyoftheNorthDanesfoughtwithmightyLodbrog。Andwhen，withonestroke，Iwasflung，dazedandbreathless，halfthelengthofthatgreatboard，myflyingbodymowingdownpotsandtankards，Lodbrogcriedoutcommand:
\"Outwithhim！Flinghimtothehounds！\"
Butthejarlwouldhaveitno，andclappedLodbrogontheshoulder，andaskedmeasagiftoffriendship。
AndsouthIwent，whentheicepassedoutofthefjord，inJarlAgard’sships。Iwasmadedrink-boyandsword-bearertohim，andinlieuofothernamewascalledRagnarLodbrog。Agard’scountrywasneighbourtotheFrisians，andasad，flatcountryoffogandfenitwas。Iwaswithhimforthreeyears，tohisdeath，alwaysathisback，whetherhuntingswampwolvesordrinkinginthegreathallwhereElgiva，hisyoungwife，oftensatamongherwomen。IwaswithAgardinsouthforaywithhisshipsalongwhatwouldbenowthecoastofFrance，andthereIlearnedthatstillsouthwerewarmerseasonsandsofterclimesandwomen。
ButwebroughtbackAgardwoundedtodeathandslow-dying。Andweburnedhisbodyonagreatpyre，withElgiva，inhergoldencorselet，besidehimsinging。Andtherewerehouseholdslavesingoldencollarsthatburnedofaplentytherewithher，andninefemalethralls，andeightmaleslavesoftheAnglesthatwereofgentlebirthandbattle-captured。Andtherewerelivehawkssoburned，andthetwohawk-boyswiththeirbirds。
ButI，thedrink-boy，RagnarLodbrog，didnotburn。Iwaseleven，andunafraid，andhadneverwornwovenclothonmybody。Andastheflamessprangup，andElgivasangherdeath-song，andthethrallsandslavesscreechedtheirunwillingnesstodie，Itoreawaymyfastenings，leaped，andgainedthefens，thegoldcollarofmyslavehoodstillonmyneck，footingitwiththehoundsloosedtotearmedown。
Inthefenswerewildmen，masterlessmen，fledslaves，andoutlaws，whowerehuntedinsportasthewolveswerehunted。
ForthreeyearsIknewneverroofnorfire，andIgrewhardasthefrost，andwouldhavestolenawomanfromtheJutsbutthattheFrisiansbymischance，inatwodays’hunt，ranmedown。BythemI
waslootedofmygoldcollarandtradedfortwowolf-houndstoEdwy，oftheSaxons，whoputanironcollaronme，andlatermadeofmeandfiveotherslavesapresenttoAtheloftheEastAngles。Iwasthrallandfightingman，until，lostinanunluckyraidfartotheeastbeyondourmarches，IwassoldamongtheHuns，andwasaswineherduntilIescapedsouthintothegreatforestsandwastakeninasafreemanbytheTeutons，whoweremany，butwholivedinsmalltribesanddriftedsouthwardbeforetheHunadvance。
AndupfromthesouthintothegreatforestscametheRomans，fightingmenall，whopressedusbackupontheHuns。Itwasacrushageofthepeoplesforlackofroom；andwetaughttheRomanswhatfightingwas，althoughintruthwewerenolesswelltaughtbythem。
ButalwaysIrememberedthesunofthesouth-landthatIhadglimpsedintheshipsofAgard，anditwasmyfate，caughtinthissouthdriftoftheTeutons，tobecapturedbytheRomansandbebroughtbacktotheseawhichIhadnotseensinceIwaslostawayfromtheEastAngles。Iwasmadeasweep-slaveinthegalleys，anditwasasasweep-slavethatatlastIcametoRome。
AllthestoryistoolongofhowIbecameafree-man，acitizen，andasoldier，andofhow，whenIwasthirty，IjourneyedtoAlexandria，andfromAlexandriatoJerusalem。YetwhatIhavetoldfromthetimewhenIwasbaptizedinthemead-potofTostigLodbrogIhavebeencompelledtotellinorderthatyoumayunderstandwhatmannerofmanrodeinthroughtheJaffaGateanddrewalleyesuponhim。
Wellmighttheylook。Theyweresmallbreeds，lighter-bonedandlighter-thewed，theseRomansandJews，andablondelikemetheyhadnevergazedupon。Allalongthenarrowstreetstheygavebeforemebutstoodtostarewide-eyedatthisyellowmanfromthenorth，orfromGodknewwheresofarastheyknewaughtofthematter。
PracticallyallPilate’stroopswereauxiliaries，saveforahandfulofRomansaboutthepalaceandthetwentyRomanswhorodewithme。
OftenenoughhaveIfoundtheauxiliariesgoodsoldiers，butneversosteadilydependableastheRomans。IntruththeywerebetterfightingmentheyearroundthanwerewemenoftheNorth，whofoughtingreatmoodsandsulkedingreatmoods。TheRomanwasinvariablysteadyanddependable。
TherewasawomanfromthecourtofAntipas，whowasafriendofPilate’swifeandwhomImetatPilate’sthenightofmyarrival。I
shallcallherMiriam，forMiriamwasthenameIlovedherby。Ifitweremerelydifficulttodescribethecharmofwomen，IwoulddescribeMiriam。Buthowdescribeemotioninwords？Thecharmofwomaniswordless。Itisdifferentfromperceptionthatculminatesinreason，foritarisesinsensationandculminatesinemotion，which，beitadmitted，isnothingelsethansuper-sensation。
Ingeneral，anywomanhasfundamentalcharmforanyman。Whenthischarmbecomesparticular，thenwecallitlove。Miriamhadthisparticularcharmforme。VerilyIwasco-partnerinhercharm。
Halfofitwasmyownman’slifeinmethatleaptandmetherwide-
armedandmadeinmeallthatshewasdesirableplusallmydesireofher。
Miriamwasagrandwoman。Iusethetermadvisedly。Shewasfine-
bodied，commanding，overandabovetheaverageJewishwomaninstatureandinline。Shewasanaristocratinsocialcaste；shewasanaristocratbynature。Allherwayswerelargeways，generousways。Shehadbrain，shehadwit，and，aboveall，shehadwomanliness。Asyoushallsee，itwasherwomanlinessthatbetrayedherandmeintheyend。Brunette，olive-skinned，oval-faced，herhairwasblue-blackwithitsblacknessandhereyesweretwinwellsofblack。Neverweremorepronouncedtypesofblondeandbrunetteinmanandwomanmetthaninus。
Andwemetontheinstant。Therewasnoself-discussion，nowaiting，wavering，tomakecertain。ShewasminethemomentI
lookeduponher。AndbythesametokensheknewthatIbelongedtoheraboveallmen。Istrodetoher。Shehalf-liftedfromhercouchasifdrawnupwardtome。Andthenwelookedwithalloureyes，blueeyesandblack，untilPilate’swife，athin，tense，overwroughtwoman，laughednervously。AndwhileIbowedtothewifeandgavegreeting，IthoughtIsawPilategiveMiriamasignificantglance，asiftosay，\"IshenotallIpromised？\"ForhehadhadwordofmycomingfromSulpiciusQuirinius，thelegateofSyria。AswellhadPilateandIbeenknowntoeachotherbeforeeverhejourneyedouttobeprocuratorovertheSemiticvolcanoofJerusalem。
Muchtalkwehadthatnight，especiallyPilate，whospokeindetailofthelocalsituation，andwhoseemedlonelyanddesiroustosharehisanxietieswithsomeoneandeventobidforcounsel。PilatewasofthesolidtypeofRoman，withsufficientimaginationintelligentlytoenforcetheironpolicyofRome，andnotundulyexcitableunderstress。
Butonthisnightitwasplainthathewasworried。TheJewshadgotonhisnerves。Theyweretoovolcanic，spasmodic，eruptive。
Andfurther，theyweresubtle。TheRomanshadastraight，forthrightwayofgoingaboutanything。TheJewsneverapproachedanythingdirectly，savebackwards，whentheyweredrivenbycompulsion。Lefttothemselves，theyalwaysapproachedbyindirection。Pilate’sirritationwasdue，asheexplained，tothefactthattheJewswereeverintriguingtomakehim，andthroughhimRome，thecatspawinthematteroftheirreligiousdissensions。Aswaswellknowntome，Romedidnotinterferewiththereligiousnotionsofitsconqueredpeoples；buttheJewswereforeverconfusingtheissuesandgivingapoliticalcasttopurelyunpoliticalevents。
Pilatewaxedeloquentoverthediversesectsandthefanaticuprisingsandriotingsthatwerecontinuallyoccurring\"Lodbrog，\"hesaid，\"onecannevertellwhatlittlesummercloudoftheirhatchingmayturnintoathunder-stormroaringandrattlingaboutone’sears。Iamheretokeeporderandquiet。Despitemetheymaketheplaceahornets’nest。FarratherwouldIgovernScythiansorsavageBritonsthanthesepeoplewhoareneveratpeaceaboutGod。Rightnowthereisamanuptothenorth，afishermanturnedpreacher，andmiracle-worker，whoaswellasnotmaysoonhaveallthecountrybytheearsandmyrecallonitswayfromRome。\"
ThiswasthefirstIhadheardofthemancalledJesus，andIlittleremarkeditatthetime。NotuntilafterwarddidIrememberhim，whenthelittlesummercloudhadbecomeafull-fledgedthunderstorm。
\"Ihavehadreportofhim，\"Pilatewenton。\"Heisnotpolitical。
Thereisnodoubtofthat。ButtrustCaiaphas，andHananbehindCaiaphas，tomakeofthisfishermanapoliticalthornwithwhichtoprickRomeandruinme。\"
\"ThisCaiaphas，Ihaveheardofhimashighpriest，thenwhoisthisHanan？\"Iasked。
\"Therealhighpriest，acunningfox，\"Pilateexplained。\"CaiaphaswasappointedbyGratus，butCaiaphasistheshadowandthemouthpieceofHanan。\"
\"Theyhaveneverforgivenyouthatlittlematterofthevotiveshields，\"Miriamteased。
Whereupon，asamanwillwhenhissoreplaceistouched，Pilatelaunchedupontheepisode，whichhadbeenanepisode，nomore，atthebeginning，butwhichhadnearlydestroyedhim。Inallinnocencebeforehispalacehehadaffixedtwoshieldswithvotiveinscriptions。EretheconsequentstormthatburstonhisheadhadpassedtheJewshadwrittentheircomplaintstoTiberius，whoapprovedthemandreprimandedPilate。Iwasglad，alittlelater，whenIcouldhavetalkwithMiriam。Pilate’swifehadfoundopportunitytotellmeabouther。Shewasofoldroyalstock。HersisterwaswifeofPhilip，tetrarchofGaulonitisandBatanaea。NowthisPhilipwasbrothertoAntipas，tetrarchofGalileeandPeraea，andbothweresonsofHerod，calledbytheJewsthe\"Great。\"
Miriam，asIunderstood，wasathomeinthecourtsofbothtetrarchs，beingherselfoftheblood。Also，whenagirl，shehadbeenbetrothedtoArchelausatthetimehewasethnarchofJerusalem。Shehadagoodlyfortuneinherownright，sothatmarriagehadnotbeencompulsory。Toboot，shehadawillofherown，andwasdoubtlesshardtopleaseinsoimportantamatterashusbands。
Itmusthavebeenintheveryairwebreathed，forinnotimeMiriamandIwereatitonthesubjectofreligion。Truly，theJewsofthatdaybattenedonreligionasdidweonfightingandfeasting。
Forallmystayinthatcountrytherewasneveramomentwhenmywitswerenotbuzzingwiththeendlessdiscussionsoflifeanddeath，law，andGod。NowPilatebelievedneitheringods，nordevils，noranything。Death，tohim，wastheblacknessofunbrokensleep；andyet，duringhisyearsinJerusalem，hewasevervexedwiththeinescapablefussandfuryofthingsreligious。Why，Ihadahorse-boyonmytripintoIdumaea，awretchedcreaturethatcouldneverlearntosaddleandwhoyetcouldtalk，andmostlearnedly，withoutbreath，fromnightfalltosunrise，onthehair-splittingdifferencesintheteachingsofalltherabbisfromShemaiahtoGamaliel。
ButtoreturntoMiriam。
\"Youbelieveyouareimmortal，\"shewassoonchallengingme。\"Thenwhydoyoufeartotalkaboutit？\"
\"Whyburdenmymindwiththoughtsaboutcertainties？\"Icountered。
\"Butareyoucertain？\"sheinsisted。\"Tellmeaboutit。Whatisitlike——yourimmortality？\"
AndwhenIhadtoldherofNiflheimandMuspell，ofthebirthofthegiantYmirfromthesnowflakes，ofthecowAndhumbla，andofFenrirandLokiandthefrozenJotuns——asIsay，whenIhadtoldherofallthis，andofThorandOdinandourownValhalla，sheclappedherhandsandcriedout，withsparklingeyes:
\"Oh，youbarbarian！Yougreatchild！Youyellowgiant-thingofthefrost！Youbelieverofoldnursetalesandstomachsatisfactions！
Butthespiritofyou，thatwhichcannotdie，wherewillitgowhenyourbodyisdead？\"
\"AsIhavesaid，Valhalla，\"Ianswered。\"Andmybodyshallbethere，too。\"
\"Eating？——drinking？——fighting？\"
\"Andloving，\"Iadded。\"Wemusthaveourwomeninheaven，elsewhatisheavenfor？\"
\"Idonotlikeyourheaven，\"shesaid。\"Itisamadplace，abeastplace，aplaceoffrostandstormandfury。\"
\"Andyourheaven？\"Iquestioned。
\"Isalwaysunendingsummer，withtheyearattheripeforthefruitsandflowersandgrowingthings。\"
Ishookmyheadandgrowled:
\"Idonotlikeyourheaven。Itisasadplace，asoftplace，aplaceforweaklingsandeunuchsandfat，sobbingshadowsofmen。\"
Myremarksmusthaveglamouredhermind，forhereyescontinuedtosparkle，andminewashalfaguessthatshewasleadingmeon。
\"Myheaven，\"shesaid，\"istheabodeoftheblest。\"
\"Valhallaistheabodeoftheblest，\"Iasserted。\"Forlookyou，whocaresforflowerswhereflowersalwaysare？inmycountry，aftertheironwinterbreaksandthesundrivesawaythelongnight，thefirstblossomstwinklingonthemeltingice-edgearethingsofjoy，andwelook，andlookagain。
\"Andfire！\"Icriedout。\"Greatgloriousfire！Afineheavenyourswhereamancannotproperlyesteemaroaringfireunderatightroofwithwindandsnowa-driveoutside。\"
\"Asimplefolk，you，\"shewasbackatme。\"Youbuildaroofandafireinasnowbankandcallitheaven。Inmyheavenwedonothavetoescapethewindandsnow。\"
\"No，\"Iobjected。\"Webuildroofandfiretogoforthfromintothefrostandstormandtoreturntofromthefrostandstorm。Man’slifeisfashionedforbattlewithfrostandstorm。Hisveryfireandroofhemakesbyhisbattling。Iknow。Forthreeyears，once，Iknewneverroofnorfire。Iwassixteen，andaman，ereeverI
worewovenclothonmybody。Iwasbirthedinstorm，afterbattle，andmyswaddlingclothwasawolfskin。LookatmeandseewhatmannerofmanlivesinValhalla。\"
Andlookshedid，alla-glamour，andcriedout:
\"Yougreat，yellowgiant-thingofaman！\"Thensheaddedpensively，\"Almostitsaddensmethattheremaynotbesuchmeninmyheaven。\"
\"Itisagoodworld，\"Iconsoledher。\"Goodistheplanandwide。
Thereisroomformanyheavens。Itwouldseemthattoeachisgiventheheaventhatishisheart’sdesire。Agoodcountry，truly，therebeyondthegrave。IdoubtnotIshallleaveourfeasthallsandraidyourcoastsofsunandflowers，andstealyouaway。Mymotherwassostolen。\"
AndinthepauseIlookedather，andshelookedatme，anddaredtolook。Andmybloodranfire。ByOdin，thiswasawoman！
WhatmighthavehappenedIknownot，forPilate，whohadceasedfromhistalkwithAmbiviusandforsometimehadsatgrinning，brokethepause。
\"Arabbi，aTeutobergrabbi！\"hegibed。\"AnewpreacherandanewdoctrinecometoJerusalem。Nowwilltherebemoredissensions，andriotings，andstoningsofprophets。Thegodssaveus，itisamad-
house。Lodbrog，Ilittlethoughtitofyou。Yethereyouare，spoutingandfumingaswildlyasanymadmanfromthedesertaboutwhatshallhappentoyouwhenyouaredead。Onelifeatatime，Lodbrog。Itsavestrouble。Itsavestrouble。\"
\"Goon，Miriam，goon，\"hiswifecried。
Shehadsatentrancedduringthediscussion，withhandstightlyclasped，andthethoughtflickeredupinmymindthatshehadalreadybeencorruptedbythereligiousfollyofJerusalem。Atanyrate，asIwastolearninthedaysthatfollowed，shewasundulybentuponsuchmatters。Shewasathinwoman，asifwastedbyfever。Herskinwastight-stretched。AlmostitseemedIcouldlookthroughherhandsdidsheholdthembetweenmeandthelight。Shewasagoodwoman，buthighlynervous，and，attimes，fancy-flightedaboutshadesandsignsandomens。Norwassheaboveseeingvisionsandhearingvoices。Asforme，Ihadnopatiencewithsuchweaknesses。Yetwassheagoodwomanwithnoheartofevil。
IwasonamissionforTiberius，anditwasmyilllucktoseelittleofMiriam。OnmyreturnfromthecourtofAntipasshehadgoneintoBatanaeatoPhilip’scourt，wherewashersister。OnceagainIwasbackinJerusalem，and，thoughitwasnonecessityofmybusinesstoseePhilip，who，thoughweak，wasfaithfultoRomanwill，IjourneyedintoBatanaeainthehopeofmeetingwithMiriam。
ThentherewasmytripintoIdumaea。Also，ItravelledintoSyriainobediencetothecommandofSulpiciusQuirinius，who，asimperiallegate，wascuriousofmyfirst-handreportofaffairsinJerusalem。
Thus，travellingwideandmuch，IhadopportunitytoobservethestrangenessoftheJewswhoweresomadlyinterestedinGod。Itwastheirpeculiarity。Notcontentwithleavingsuchmatterstotheirpriests，theywerethemselvesforeverturningpriestsandpreachingwherevertheycouldfindalistener。Andlistenerstheyfounda-
plenty。
Theygaveuptheiroccupationstowanderaboutthecountrylikebeggars，disputingandbickeringwiththerabbisandTalmudistsinthesynagoguesandtempleporches。ItwasinGalilee，adistrictoflittlerepute，theinhabitantsofwhichwerelookeduponaswitless，thatIcrossedthetrackofthemanJesus。Itseemsthathehadbeenacarpenter，andafterthatafisherman，andthathisfellow-
fishermenhadceaseddraggingtheirnetsandfollowedhiminhiswanderinglife。Somefewlookeduponhimasaprophet，butthemostcontendedthathewasamadman。Mywretchedhorse-boy，himselfclaimingTalmudicknowledgesecondtonone，sneeredatJesus，callinghimthekingofthebeggars，callinghisdoctrineEbionism，which，asheexplainedtome，wastotheeffectthatonlythepoorshouldwintoheaven，whiletherichandpowerfulweretoburnforeverinsomelakeoffire。
Itwasmyobservationthatitwasthecustomofthecountryforeverymantocalleveryothermanamadman。Intruth，inmyjudgment，theywereallmad。Therewasaplagueofthem。Theycastoutdevilsbymagiccharms，cureddiseasesbythelayingonofhands，drankdeadlypoisonsunharmed，andunharmedplayedwithdeadlysnakes——orsotheyclaimed。Theyranawaytostarveinthedeserts。Theyemergedhowlingnewdoctrine，gatheringcrowdsaboutthem，formingnewsectsthatsplitondoctrineandformedmoresects。
\"ByOdin，\"ItoldPilate，\"atrifleofournorthernfrostandsnowwouldcooltheirwits。Thisclimateistoosoft。Inplaceofbuildingroofsandhuntingmeat，theyareeverbuildingdoctrine。\"
\"AndalteringthenatureofGod，\"Pilatecorroboratedsourly。\"A
curseondoctrine。\"
\"SosayI，\"Iagreed。\"IfeverIgetawaywithunaddledwitsfromthismadland，I’llcleavethroughwhatevermandaresmentiontomewhatmayhappenafterIamdead。\"
Neverweresuchtroublemakers。Everythingunderthesunwaspiousorimpioustothem。They，whoweresocleverinhair-splittingargument，seemedincapableofgraspingtheRomanideaoftheState。
Everythingpoliticalwasreligious；everythingreligiouswaspolitical。Thuseveryprocurator’shandswerefull。TheRomaneagles，theRomanstatues，eventhevotiveshieldsofPilate，weredeliberateinsultstotheirreligion。
TheRomantakingofthecensuswasanabomination。Yetithadtobedone，foritwasthebasisoftaxation。Butthereitwasagain。
TaxationbytheStatewasacrimeagainsttheirlawandGod。Oh，thatLaw！ItwasnottheRomanlaw。Itwastheirlaw，whattheycalledGod’slaw。Therewerethezealots，whomurderedanybodywhobrokethislaw。Andforaprocuratortopunishazealotcaughtred-
handedwastoraiseariotoraninsurrection。
Everything，withthesestrangepeople，wasdoneinthenameofGod。
TherewerewhatweRomanscalledtheTHAUMATURGI。Theyworkedmiraclestoprovedoctrine。Everhasitseemedtomeawitlessthingtoprovethemultiplicationtablebyturningastaffintoaserpent，orevenintotwoserpents。Yetthesethingsthethaumaturgidid，andalwaystotheexcitementofthecommonpeople。
Heavens，whatsectsandsects！Pharisees，Essenes，Sadducees——alegionofthem！Nosoonerdidtheystartwithanewquirkwhenitturnedpolitical。Coponius，procuratorfourthbeforePilate，hadaprettytimecrushingtheGauloniteseditionwhicharoseinthisfashionandspreaddownfromGamala。
InJerusalem，thatlasttimeIrodein，itwaseasytonotetheincreasingexcitementoftheJews。Theyranaboutincrowds，chatteringandspouting。Somewereproclaimingtheendoftheworld。OtherssatisfiedthemselveswiththeimminentdestructionoftheTemple。AndtherewererankrevolutioniseswhoannouncedthatRomanrulewasoverandthenewJewishkingdomabouttobegin。
Pilate，too，Inoted，showedheavyanxiety。Thattheyweregivinghimahardtimeofitwaspatent。ButIwillsay，asyoushallsee，thathematchedtheirsubtletywithequalsubtlety；andfromwhatI
sawofhimIhavelittledoubtbutwhathewouldhaveconfoundedmanyadisputantinthesynagogues。
\"ButhalfalegionofRomans，\"heregrettedtome，\"andIwouldtakeJerusalembythethroat……andthenberecalledformypains，I
suppose。\"
Likeme，hehadnottoomuchfaithintheauxiliaries；andofRomansoldierswehadbutascanthandful。
Backagain，Ilodgedinthepalace，andtomygreatjoyfoundMiriamthere。Butlittlesatisfactionwasmine，forthetalkranlongonthesituation。Therewasreasonforthis，forthecitybuzzedliketheangryhornets’nestitwas。ThefastcalledthePassover——areligiousaffair，ofcourse——wasnear，andthousandswerepouringinfromthecountry，accordingtocustom，tocelebratethefeastinJerusalem。Thesenewcomers，naturally，wereallexcitablefolk，elsetheywouldnotbebentonsuchpilgrimage。Thecitywaspackedwiththem，sothatmanycampedoutsidethewalls。Asforme，I
couldnotdistinguishhowmuchofthefermentwasduetotheteachingsofthewanderingfisherman，andhowmuchofitwasduetoJewishhatredforRome。
\"Atithe，nomore，andmaybenotsomuch，isduetothisJesus，\"
Pilateansweredmyquery。\"LooktoCaiaphasandHananforthemaincauseoftheexcitement。Theyknowwhattheyareabout。Theyarestirringitup，towhatendwhocantell，excepttocausemetrouble。\"
\"Yes，itiscertainthatCaiaphasandHananareresponsible，\"Miriamsaid，\"butyou，PontiusPilate，areonlyaRomananddonotunderstand。WereyouaJew，youwouldrealizethatthereisagreaterseriousnessatthebottomofitthanmeredissensionofthesectariesortrouble-makingforyouandRome。ThehighpriestsandPharisees，everyJewofplaceorwealth，Philip，Antipas，myself——weareallfightingforverylife。
\"Thisfishermanmaybeamadman。Ifso，thereisacunninginhismadness。Hepreachesthedoctrineofthepoor。Hethreatensourlaw，andourlawisourlife，asyouhavelearnederethis。Wearejealousofourlaw，asyouwouldbejealousoftheairdeniedyourbodybyathrottlinghandonyourthroat。ItisCaiaphasandHananandalltheystandfor，oritisthefisherman。Theymustdestroyhim，elsehewilldestroythem。\"
\"Isitnotstrange，sosimpleaman，afisherman？\"Pilate’swifebreathedforth。\"Whatmannerofmancanhebetopossesssuchpower？IwouldthatIcouldseehim。IwouldthatwithmyowneyesIcouldseesoremarkableaman。\"
Pilate’sbrowscorrugatedatherwords，anditwasclearthattotheburdenonhisnerveswasaddedtheoverwroughtstateofhiswife’snerves。
\"Ifyouwouldseehim，beatupthedensofthetown，\"Miriamlaughedspitefully。\"Youwillfindhimwine-bibbingorinthecompanyofnamelesswomen。NeversostrangeaprophetcameuptoJerusalem。\"
\"Andwhatharminthat？\"Idemanded，drivenagainstmywilltotakethepartofthefisherman。\"HaveInotwine-guzzleda-plentyandpassedstrangenightsinalltheprovinces？Themanisaman，andhiswaysaremen’sways，elseamIamadman，whichIheredeny。\"
Miriamshookherheadasshespoke。
\"Heisnotmad。Worse，heisdangerous。AllEbionismisdangerous。
Hewoulddestroyallthingsthatarefixed。Heisarevolutionist。
HewoulddestroywhatlittleislefttousoftheJewishstateandTemple。\"
HerePilateshookhishead。
\"Heisnotpolitical。Ihavehadreportofhim。Heisavisionary。
Thereisnoseditioninhim。HeaffirmstheRomantaxeven。\"
\"Stillyoudonotunderstand，\"Miriampersisted。\"Itisnotwhatheplans；itistheeffect，ifhisplansareachieved，thatmakeshimarevolutionist。Idoubtthatheforeseestheeffect。Yetisthemanaplague，and，likeanyplague，shouldbestampedout。\"
\"FromallthatIhaveheard，heisagood-hearted，simplemanwithnoevilinhim，\"Istated。
AndthereatItoldofthehealingofthetenlepersIhadwitnessedinSamariaonmywaythroughJericho。
Pilate’swifesatentrancedatwhatItold。Cametoourearsdistantshoutingsandcriesofsomestreetcrowd，andweknewthesoldierswerekeepingthestreetscleared。
\"Andyoubelievethiswonder，Lodbrog？\"Pilatedemanded。\"Youbelievethatintheflashofaneyethefesteringsoresdepartedfromthelepers？\"
\"Isawthemhealed，\"Ireplied。\"Ifollowedthemtomakecertain。
Therewasnoleprosyinthem。\"
\"Butdidyouseethemsore？——beforethehealing？\"Pilateinsisted。
Ishookmyhead。
\"Iwasonlytoldso，\"Iadmitted。\"WhenIsawthemafterward，theyhadalltheseemingofmenwhohadoncebeenlepers。Theywereinadaze。Therewasonewhosatinthesunandeversearchedhisbodyandstaredandstaredatthesmoothfleshasifunabletobelievehiseyes。Hewouldnotspeak，norlookataughtelsethanhisflesh，whenIquestionedhim。Hewasinamaze。Hesatthereinthesunandstaredandstated。\"
Pilatesmiledcontemptuously，andInotedthequietsmileonMiriam’sfacewasequallycontemptuous。AndPilate’swifesatasifacorpse，scarcebreathing，hereyeswideandunseeing。
SpokeAmbivius:\"Caiaphasholds——hetoldmebutyesterday——thatthefishermanclaimsthathewillbringGoddownonearthandmakehereanewkingdomoverwhichGodwillrule——\"
\"WhichwouldmeantheendofRomanrule，\"Ibrokein。
\"ThatiswhereCaiaphasandHananplottoembroilRome，\"Miriamexplained。\"Itisnottrue。Itisalietheyhavemade。\"
Pilatenoddedandasked:
\"Istherenotsomewhereinyourancientbooksaprophecythatthepriestsheretwistintotheintentofthisfisherman’smind？\"
Tothissheagreed，andgavehimthecitation。IrelatetheincidenttoevidencethedepthofPilate’sstudyofthispeoplehestrovesohardtokeepinorder。
\"WhatIhaveheard，\"Miriamcontinued，\"isthatthisJesuspreachestheendoftheworldandthebeginningofGod’skingdom，nothere，butinheaven。\"
\"Ihavehadreportofthat，\"Pilateraid。\"Itistrue。ThisJesusholdsthejustnessoftheRomantax。HeholdsthatRomeshallruleuntilallrulepassesawaywiththepassingoftheworld。IseemoreclearlythetrickHananisplayingme。\"
\"Itisevenclaimedbysomeofhisfollowers，\"Ambiviusvolunteered，\"thatheisGodHimself。\"
\"Ihavenoreportthathehassosaid，\"Pilatereplied。
\"Whynot？\"hiswifebreathed。\"Whynot？Godshavedescendedtoearthbefore。\"
\"Lookyou，\"Pilatesaid。\"Ihaveitbycreditablereport，thatafterthisJesushadworkedsomewonderwherebyamultitudewasfedonseveralloavesandfishes，thefoolishGalileanswereformakinghimaking。Againsthiswilltheywouldmakehimaking。Toescapethemhefledintothemountains。Nomadnessthere。Hewastoowisetoacceptthefatetheywouldhaveforceduponhim。\"
\"YetthatistheverytrickHananwouldforceuponyou，\"Miriamreiterated。\"TheyclaimforhimthathewouldbekingoftheJews——
anoffenceagainstRomanlaw，whereforeRomemustdealwithhim。\"
Pilateshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Akingofthebeggars，rather；orakingofthedreamers。Heisnofool。Heisvisionary，butnotvisionaryofthisworld’spower。
Allluckgowithhiminthenextworld，forthatisbeyondRome’sjurisdiction。\"
\"Heholdsthatpropertyissin——thatiswhathitsthePharisees，\"
Ambiviusspokeup。
Pilatelaughedheartily。
\"Thiskingofthebeggarsandhisfellow-beggarsstilldorespectproperty，heexplained。\"For，lookyou，notlongagotheyhadevenatreasurerfortheirwealth。Judashisnamewas，andtherewerewordsinthathestolefromtheircommonpursewhichhecarried。\"
\"Jesusdidnotsteal？\"Pilate’swifeasked。
\"No，\"Pilateanswered；\"itwasJudas，thetreasurer。\"
\"WhowasthisJohn？\"Iquestioned。\"HewasintroubleupTiberiaswayandAntipasexecutedhim。\"
\"Anotherone，\"Miriamanswered。\"HewasbornnearHebron。Hewasanenthusiastandadesert-dweller。EitherheorhisfollowersclaimedthathewasElijahraisedfromthedead。Elijah，yousee，wasoneofouroldprophets。\"
\"Washeseditious？\"Iasked。
Pilategrinnedandshookhishead，thensaid:
\"HefelloutwithAntipasoverthematterofHerodias。Johnwasamoralist。Itistoolongastory，buthepaidforitwithhishead。
No，therewasnothingpoliticalinthataffair。\"
\"ItisalsoclaimedbysomethatJesusistheSonofDavid，\"Miriamsaid。\"Butitisabsurd。NobodyatNazarethbelievesit。Yousee，hiswholefamily，includinghismarriedsisters，livesthereandisknowntoallofthem。Theyareasimplefolk，merecommonpeople。\"
\"Iwishitwereassimple，thereportofallthiscomplexitythatI
mustsendtoTiberius，\"Pilategrumbled。\"AndnowthisfishermaniscometoJerusalem，theplaceispackedwithpilgrimsripeforanytrouble，andHananstirsandstirsthebroth。\"
\"Andbeforeheisdonehewillhavehisway，\"Miriamforecast。\"Hehaslaidthetaskforyou，andyouwillperformit。\"
\"Whichis？\"Pilatequeried。
\"Theexecutionofthisfisherman。\"
Pilateshookhisheadstubbornly，buthiswifecriedout:
\"No！No！Itwouldbeashamefulwrong。Themanhasdonenoevil。
HehasnotoffendedagainstRome。\"
ShelookedbeseechinglytoPilate，whocontinuedtoshakehishead。
\"Letthemdotheirownbeheading，asAntipasdid，\"hegrowled。\"Thefishermancountsfornothing；butIshallbenocatspawtotheirschemes。Iftheymustdestroyhim，theymustdestroyhim。Thatistheiraffair。\"
\"Butyouwillnotpermitit，\"criedPilate’swife。
\"AprettytimewouldIhaveexplainingtoTiberiusifIinterfered，\"
washisreply。
\"Nomatterwhathappens，\"saidMiriam，\"Icanseeyouwritingexplanations，andsoon；forJesusisalreadycomeuptoJerusalemandanumberofhisfishermenwithhim。\"
Pilateshowedtheirritationthisinformationcausedhim。
\"Ihavenointerestinhismovements，\"hepronounced。\"Ihopenevertoseehim。\"
\"TrustHanantofindhimforyou，\"Miriamreplied，\"andtobringhimtoyourgate。\"
Pilateshruggedhisshoulders，andtherethetalkended。Pilate’swife，nervousandoverwrought，mustclaimMiriamtoherapartments，sothatnothingremainedformebuttogotobedanddozeofftothebuzzandmurmurofthecityofmadmen。
Eventsmovedrapidly。Overnightthewhiteheatofthecityhadscorcheduponitself。Bymidday，whenIrodeforthwithhalfadozenofmymen，thestreetswerepacked，andmorereluctantthaneverwerethefolktogivewaybeforeme。IflookscouldkillI
shouldhavebeenadeadmanthatday。Openlytheyspatatsightofme，and，everywherearosesnarlsandcries。
LesswasIathingofwonder，andmorewasIthethinghatedinthatIworethehatedharnessofRome。Haditbeenanyothercity，I
shouldhavegivencommandtomymentolaytheflatsoftheirswordsonthosesnarlingfanatics。ButthiswasJerusalem，atfeverheat，andthesewereapeopleunableinthoughttodivorcetheideaofStatefromtheideaofGod。
HanantheSadduceehaddonehisworkwell。NomatterwhatheandtheSanhedrimbelievedofthetrueinwardnessofthesituation，itwasclearthisrabblehadbeenwelltutoredtobelievethatRomewasatthebottomofit。
IencounteredMiriaminthepress。Shewasonfoot，attendedonlybyawoman。Itwasnotimeinsuchturbulenceforhertobeabroadgarbedasbecameherstation。Throughhersistershewasindeedsister-in-lawtoAntipasforwhomfewborelove。Soshewasdresseddiscreetly，herfacecovered，sothatshemightpassasanyJewishwomanofthelowerorders。Butnottomyeyecouldshehidethatfinestatureofher，thatcarriageandwalk，sodifferentfromotherwomen’s，ofwhichIhadalreadydreamedmorethanonce。
Fewandquickwerethewordswewereabletoexchange，forthewayjammedonthemoment，andsoonmymenandhorseswerebeingpressedandjostled。Miriamwasshelteredinanangleofhouse-wall。
\"Havetheygotthefishermanyet？\"Iasked。
\"No；butheisjustoutsidethewall。HehasriddenuptoJerusalemonanass，withamultitudebeforeandbehind；andsome，poordupes，havehailedhimashepassedasKingofIsrael。ThatfinallyisthepretextwithwhichHananwillcompelPilate。Truly，thoughnotyettaken，thesentenceisalreadywritten。Thisfishermanisadeadman。\"
\"ButPilatewillnotarresthim，\"Idefended。Miriamshookherhead。
\"Hananwillattendtothat。TheywillbringhimbeforetheSanhedrim。Thesentencewillbedeath。Theymaystonehim。\"
\"ButtheSanhedrimhasnottherighttoexecute，\"Icontended。
\"JesusisnotaRoman，\"shereplied。\"HeisaJew。BythelawoftheTalmudheisguiltyofdeath，forhehasblasphemedagainstthelaw。\"
StillIshookmyhead。
\"TheSanhedrimhasnottheright。\"
\"Pilateiswillingthatitshouldtakethatright。\"
\"Butitisafinequestionoflegality，\"Iinsisted。\"YouknowwhattheRomansareinsuchmatters。\"
\"ThenwillHananavoidthequestion，\"shesmiled，\"bycompellingPilatetocrucifyhim。Ineithereventitwillbewell。\"
Asurgingofthemobwassweepingourhorsesalongandgrindingourkneestogether。Somefanatichadfallen，andIcouldfeelmyhorserecoilandhalfrearasittrampedonhim，andIcouldhearthemanscreamingandthesnarlingmenacefromallaboutrisingtoaroar。
ButmyheadwasovermyshoulderasIcalledbacktoMiriam:
\"Youarehardonamanyouhavesaidyourselfiswithoutevil。\"
\"Iamhardupontheevilthatwillcomeofhimifhelives，\"shereplied。
ScarcelydidIcatchherwords，foramansprangin，seizingmybridle-reinandlegandstrugglingtounhorseme。Withmyopenpalm，leaningforward，Ismotehimfulluponcheekandjaw。Myhandcoveredthefaceofhim，andaheartywillofweightwasintheblow。ThedwellersinJerusalemarenotusedtoman’sbuffets。I
haveoftenwonderedsinceifIbrokethefellow’sneck。
NextIsawMiriamwasthefollowingday。ImetherinthecourtofPilate’spalace。Sheseemedinadream。Scarcehereyessawme。
Scarceherwitsembracedmyidentity。Sostrangewasshe，soindazeandamazeandfar-seeingwerehereyes，thatIwasremindedofthelepersIhadseenhealedinSamaria。
Shebecameherselfbyaneffort，butonlyheroutwardself。Inhereyeswasamessageunreadable。NeverbeforehadIseenwoman’seyesso。
ShewouldhavepassedmeungreetedhadInotconfrontedherway。
Shepausedandmurmuredwordsmechanically，butallthewhilehereyesdreamedthroughmeandbeyondmewiththelargenessofthevisionthatfilledthem。
\"IhaveseenHim，Lodbrog，\"shewhispered。\"IhaveseenHim。\"
\"Thegodsgrantthatheisnotsoill-affectedbythesightofyou，whoeverhemaybe，\"Ilaughed。
Shetooknonoticeofmypoor-timedjest，andhereyesremainedfullwithvision，andshewouldhavepassedonhadInotagainblockedherway。
\"Whoisthishe？\"Idemanded。\"Somemanraisedfromthedeadtoputsuchstrangelightinyoureyes？\"
\"Onewhohasraisedothersfromthedead，\"shereplied。\"TrulyI
believethatHe，thisJesus，hasraisedthedead。HeisthePrinceofLight，theSonofGod。IhaveseenHim。TrulyIbelievethatHeistheSonofGod。\"
LittlecouldIgleanfromherwords，savethatshehadmetthiswanderingfishermanandbeensweptawaybyhisfolly。ForsurelythisMiriamwasnottheMiriamwhohadbrandedhimaplagueanddemandedthathebestampedoutasanyplague。
\"Hehascharmedyou，\"Icriedangrily。
Hereyesseemedtomoistenandgrowdeeperasshegaveconfirmation。
\"Oh，Lodbrog，Hisischarmbeyondallthinking，beyondalldescribing。ButtolookuponHimistoknowthathereistheall-
soulofgoodnessandofcompassion。IhaveseenHim。IhaveheardHim。IshallgiveallIhavetothepoor，andIshallfollowHim。\"
SuchwashercertitudethatIaccepteditfully，asIhadacceptedtheamazementofthelepersofSamariastaringattheirsmoothflesh；andIwasbitterthatsogreatawomanshouldbesoeasilywit-addledbyavagrantwonder-worker。
\"Followhim，\"Isneered。\"Doubtlessyouwillwearacrownwhenhewinstohiskingdom。\"
Shenoddedaffirmation，andIcouldhavestruckherinthefaceforherfolly。Idrewaside，andasshemovedslowlyonshemurmured:
\"Hiskingdomisnothere。HeistheSonofDavid。HeistheSonofGod。HeiswhateverHehassaid，orwhateverhasbeensaidofHimthatisgoodandgreat。\"
\"AwisemanoftheEast，\"IfoundPilatechuckling。\"Heisathinker，thisunletteredfisherman。Ihavesoughtmoredeeplyintohim。Ihavefreshreport。Hehasnoneedofwonder-workings。Heout-sophisticatesthemostsophisticalofthem。Theyhavelaidtraps，andHehaslaughedattheirtraps。Lookyou。Listentothis。\"
WhereuponhetoldmehowJesushadconfoundedhisconfounderswhentheybroughttohimforjudgmentawomantakeninadultery。
\"Andthetax，\"Pilateexultedon。\"’ToCaesarwhatisCaesar’s，toGodwhatisGod’s，’washisanswertothem。ThatwasHanan’strick，andHananisconfounded。AtlasthasthereappearedoneJewwhounderstandsourRomanconceptionoftheState。\"
NextIsawPilate’swife。LookingintohereyesIknew，ontheinstant，afterhavingseenMiriam’seyes，thatthistense，distraughtwomanhadlikewiseseenthefisherman。
\"TheDivineiswithinHim，\"shemurmuredtome。\"ThereiswithinHimapersonalawarenessoftheindwellingofGod。\"
\"IsheGod？\"Iqueried，gently，forsaysomethingImust。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Idonotknow。Hehasnotsaid。ButthisIknow:ofsuchstuffgodsaremade。\"
\"Acharmerofwomen，\"wasmyprivyjudgment，asIleftPilate’swifewalkingindreamsandvisions。
Thelastdaysareknowntoallofyouwhoreadtheselines，anditwasinthoselastdaysthatIlearnedthatthisJesuswasequallyacharmerofmen。HecharmedPilate。Hecharmedme。
AfterHananhadsentJesustoCaiaphas，andtheSanhedrim，assembledinCaiaphas’shouse，hadcondemnedJesustodeath，Jesus，escortedbyahowlingmob，wassenttoPilateforexecution。
Now，forhisownsakeandforRome’ssake，Pilatedidnotwanttoexecutehim。Pilatewaslittleinterestedinthefishermanandgreatlyinterestedinpeaceandorder。WhatcaredPilateforaman’slife？——formanymen’slives？TheschoolofRomewasiron，andthegovernorssentoutbyRometoruleconqueredpeopleswerelikewiseiron。Pilatethoughtandactedingovernmentalabstractions。Yet，look:whenPilatewentoutscowlingtomeetthemobthathadfetchedthefisherman，hefellimmediatelyunderthecharmoftheman。
Iwaspresent。Iknow。ItwasthefirsttimePilatehadeverseenhim。Pilatewentoutangry。Oursoldierswereinreadinesstoclearthecourtofitsnoisyvermin。AndimmediatelyPilatelaideyesonthefishermanPilatewassubdued——nay，wassolicitous。Hedisclaimedjurisdiction，demandedthattheyshouldjudgethefishermanbytheirlawanddealwithhimbytheirlaw，sincethefishermanwasaJewandnotaRoman。NeverwerethereJewssoobedienttoRomanrule。Theycriedoutthatitwasunlawful，underRome，forthemtoputanymantodeath。YetAntipashadbeheadedJohnandcometonogriefofit。
AndPilatelefttheminthecourt，openunderthesky，andtookJesusaloneintothejudgmenthall。WhathappenedthereinIknownot，savethatwhenPilateemergedhewaschanged。WhereasbeforehehadbeendisinclinedtoexecutebecausehewouldnotbemadeacatspawtoHanan，hewasnowdisinclinedtoexecutebecauseofregardforthefisherman。Hiseffortnowwastosavethefisherman。
Andallthewhilethemobcried:\"Crucifyhim！Crucifyhim！\"
You，myreader，knowthesincerityofPilate’seffort。Youknowhowhetriedtobefoolthemob，firstbymockingJesusasaharmlessfool；andsecondbyofferingtoreleasehimaccordingtothecustomofreleasingoneprisonerattimeofthePassover。Andyouknowhowthepriests’quickwhisperingsledthemobtocryoutforthereleaseofthemurdererBar-Abba。
InvainPilatestruggledagainstthefatebeingthrustuponhimbythepriests。Bysneerandjibehehopedtomakeafarceofthetransaction。HelaughinglycalledJesustheKingoftheJewsandorderedhimtobescourged。Hishopewasthatallwouldendinlaughterandinlaugherbeforgotten。
IamgladtosaythatnoRomansoldierstookpartinwhatfollowed。
ItwasthesoldiersoftheauxiliarieswhocrownedandcloakedJesus，putthereedofsovereigntyinhishand，and，kneeling，hailedhimKingoftheJews。Althoughitfailed，itwasaplaytoplacate。AndI，lookingon，learnedthecharmofJesus。Despitethecruelmockeryofsituation，hewasregal。AndIwasquietasI
gazed。Itwashisownquietthatwentintome。Iwassoothedandsatisfied，andwaswithoutbewilderment。Thisthinghadtobe。Allwaswell。TheserenityofJesusintheheartofthetumultandpainbecamemyserenity。Iwasscarcemovedbyanythoughttosavehim。
Ontheotherhand，Ihadgazedontoomanywondersofthehumaninmywildandvariedyearstobeaffectedtofoolishactsbythisparticularwonder。Iwasallserenity。Ihadnowordtosay。I
hadnojudgmenttopass。Iknewthatthingswereoccurringbeyondmycomprehension，andthattheymustoccur。
StillPilatestruggled。Thetumultincreased。Thecryforbloodrangthroughthecourt，andallwereclamouringforcrucifixion。
AgainPilatewentbackintothejudgmenthall。Hiseffortatafarcehavingfailed，heattemptedtodisclaimjurisdiction。JesuswasnotofJerusalem。HewasabornsubjectofAntipas，andtoAntipasPilatewasforsendingJesus。
Buttheuproarwasbynowcommunicatingitselftothecity。Ourtroopsoutsidethepalacewerebeingsweptawayinthevaststreetmob。Riotinghadbegunthatintheflashofaneyecouldturnintocivilwarandrevolution。Myowntwentylegionarieswereclosetohandandinreadiness。TheylovedthefanaticJewsnomorethandidI，andwouldhavewelcomedmycommandtoclearthecourtwithnakedsteel。
WhenPilatecameoutagainhiswordsforAntipas’jurisdictioncouldnotbeheard，forallthemobwasshoutingthatPilatewasatraitor，thatifheletthefishermangohewasnofriendofTiberius。Closebeforeme，asIleanedagainstthewall，amangy，bearded，long-hairedfanaticsprangupanddownunceasingly，andunceasinglychanted:\"Tiberiusisemperor；thereisnoking！
Tiberiusisemperor；thereisnoking！\"Ilostpatience。Theman’snearnoisewasanoffence。Lurchingsidewise，asifbyaccident，I
groundmyfootonhistoaterriblecrushing。Thefoolseemednottonotice。Hewastoomadtobeawareofthepain，andhecontinuedtochant:\"Tiberiusisemperor；thereisnoking！\"
IsawPilatehesitate。Pilate，theRomangovernor，forthemomentwasPilatetheman，withaman’sangeragainstthemiserablecreaturesclamouringforthebloodofsosweetandsimple，braveandgoodaspiritasthisJesus。
IsawPilatehesitate。Hisgazerovedtome，asifhewereabouttosignaltometoletloose；andIhalf-startedforward，releasingthemangledfootundermyfoot。Iwasforleapingtocompletethathalf-formedwishofPilateandtosweepawayinbloodandcleansethecourtofthewretchedscumthathowledinit。
ItwasnotPilate’sindecisionthatdecidedme。ItwasthisJesusthatdecidedPilateandme。ThisJesuslookedatme。Hecommandedme。Itellyouthisvagrantfisherman，thiswanderingpreacher，thispieceofdriftagefromGalilee，commandedme。Nowordheuttered。Yethiscommandwasthere，unmistakableasatrumpetcall。
AndIstayedmyfoot，andheldmyhand，forwhowasItothwartthewillandwayofsogreatlysereneandsweetlysureamanasthis？
AndasIstayedIknewallthecharmofhim——allthatinhimhadcharmedMiriamandPilate’swife，thathadcharmedPilatehimself。
Youknowtherest。PilatewashedhishandsofJesus’blood，andtherioterstookhisbloodupontheirownheads。Pilategaveordersforthecrucifixion。Themobwascontent，andcontent，behindthemob，wereCaiaphas，Hanan，andtheSanhedrim。NotPilate，notTiberius，notRomansoldierscrucifiedJesus。ItwasthepriestlyrulersandpriestlypoliticiansofJerusalem。Isaw。Iknow。AndagainsthisownbestinterestsPilatewouldhavesavedJesus，asIwouldhave，haditnotbeenthatnootherthanJesushimselfwilledthathewasnottobesaved。
Yes，andPilatehadhislastsneeratthispeoplehedetested。InHebrew，Greek，andLatinhehadawritingaffixedtoJesus’crosswhichread，\"TheKingoftheJews。\"Invainthepriestscomplained。
ItwasonthisverypretextthattheyhadforcedPilate’shand；andbythispretext，ascornandinsulttotheJewishrace，Pilateabided。Pilateexecutedanabstractionthathadneverexistedinthereal。Theabstractionwasacheatandaliemanufacturedinthepriestlymind。NeitherthepriestsnorPilatebelievedit。Jesusdeniedit。Thatabstractionwas\"TheKingoftheJews。\"
Thestormwasoverinthecourtyard。Theexcitementhadsimmereddown。Revolutionhadbeenaverted。Thepriestswerecontent，themobwassatisfied，andPilateandIwerewelldisgustedandwearywiththewholeaffair。Andyetforhimandmewasmoreandmostimmediatestorm。BeforeJesuswastakenawayoneofMiriam’swomencalledmetoher。AndIsawPilate，summonedbyoneofhiswife’swomen，likewiseobey。
\"Oh，Lodbrog，Ihaveheard，\"Miriammetme。Wewerealone，andshewasclosetome，seekingshelterandstrengthwithinmyarms。
\"Pilatehasweakened。HeisgoingtocrucifyHim。Butthereistime。Yourownmenareready。Ridewiththem。OnlyacenturionandahandfulofsoldiersarewithHim。Theyhavenotyetstarted。
Assoonastheydostart，follow。TheymustnotreachGolgotha。
Butwaituntiltheyareoutsidethecitywall。Thencountermandtheorder。TakeanextrahorseforHimtoride。Therestiseasy。
RideawayintoSyriawithHim，orintoIdumaea，oranywheresolongasHebesaved。\"
Sheconcludedwithherarmsaroundmyneck，herfaceupturnedtomineandtemptinglyclose，hereyesgreatlysolemnandgreatlypromising。
SmallwonderIwasslowofspeech。Forthemomenttherewasbutonethoughtinmybrain。AfterallthestrangeplayIhadseenplayedout，tohavethiscomeuponme！Ididnotmisunderstand。Thethingwasclear。Agreatwomanwasmineif……ifIbetrayedRome。ForPilatewasgovernor，hisorderhadgoneforth；andhisvoicewasthevoiceofRome。
AsIhavesaid，itwasthewomanofher，hersheerwomanliness，thatbetrayedMiriamandmeintheend。Alwaysshehadbeensoclear，soreasonable，socertainofherselfandme，sothatIhadforgotten，or，rather，Itherelearnedonceagaintheeternallessonlearnedinalllives，thatwomaniseverwoman……thatingreatdecisivemomentswomandoesnotreasonbutfeels；thatthelastsanctuaryandinnermostpulsetoconductisinwoman’sheartandnotinwoman’shead。
Miriammisunderstoodmysilence，forherbodymovedsoftlywithinmyarmsassheadded，asifinafterthought:
\"Taketwosparehorses，Lodbrog。Ishallridetheother……withyou……withyou，awayovertheworld，whereveryoumayride。\"
Itwasabribeofkings；itwasanact，paltryandcontemptible，thatwasdemandedofmeinreturn。StillIdidnotspeak。ItwasnotthatIwasinconfusionorinanydoubt。Iwasmerelysad——
greatlyandsuddenlysad，inthatIknewIheldinmyarmswhatI
wouldneverholdagain。
\"ThereisbutonemaninJerusalemthisdaywhocansaveHim，\"sheurged，\"andthatmanisyou，Lodbrog。\"
BecauseIdidnotimmediatelyreplysheshookme，asifinimpulsetoclarifywitssheconsideredaddled。Sheshookmetillmyharnessrattled。
\"Speak，Lodbrog，speak！\"shecommanded。\"Youarestrongandunafraid。Youareallman。IknowyoudespisetheverminwhowoulddestroyHim。You，youalonecansaveHim。Youhavebuttosaythewordandthethingisdone；andIwillwellloveyouandalwaysloveyouforthethingyouhavedone。\"
\"IamaRoman，\"Isaidslowly，knowingfullwellthatwiththewordsIgaveupallhopeofher。
\"Youareaman-slaveofTiberius，ahoundofRome，\"sheflamed，\"butyouoweRomenothing，foryouarenotaRoman。YouyellowgiantsofthenortharenotRomans。\"
\"TheRomansaretheelderbrothersofusyounglingsofthenorth，\"I
answered。\"Also，IweartheharnessandIeatthebreadofRome。\"
GentlyIadded:\"Butwhyallthisfussandfuryforamereman’slife？Allmenmustdie。Simpleandeasyitistodie。To-day，orahundredyears，itlittlematters。Sureweare，allofus，ofthesameeventintheend。\"
Quickshewas，andalivewithpassiontosaveasshethrilledwithinmyarms。
\"Youdonotunderstand，Lodbrog。Thisisnomereman。Itellyouthisisamanbeyondmen——alivingGod，notofmen，butovermen。\"
IheldhercloselyandknewthatIwasrenouncingallthesweetwomanofherasIsaid:
\"Wearemanandwoman，youandI。Ourlifeisofthisworld。Oftheseotherworldsisallamadness。Letthesemaddreamersgothewayoftheirdreaming。Denythemnotwhattheydesireaboveallthings，abovemeatandwine，abovesongandbattle，evenaboveloveofwoman。Denythemnottheirhearts’desiresthatdrawthemacrossthedarkofthegravetotheirdreamsoflivesbeyondthisworld。
Letthempass。ButyouandIabidehereinallthesweetwehavediscoveredofeachother。Quicklyenoughwillcomethedark，andyoudepartforyourcoastsofsunandflowers，andIfortheroaringtableofValhalla。\"
\"No！no！\"shecried，half-tearingherselfaway。\"Youdonotunderstand。Allofgreatness，allofgoodness，allofGodareinthismanwhoismorethanman；anditisashamefuldeathtodie。
Onlyslavesandthievessodie。Heisneitherslavenorthief。Heisanimmortal。HeisGod。TrulyItellyouHeisGod。\"
\"Heisimmortalyousay，\"Icontended。\"Thentodieto-dayonGolgothawillnotshortenhisimmortalitybyahair’sbreadthinthespanoftime。Heisagodyousay。Godscannotdie。FromallI
havebeentoldofthem，itiscertainthatgodscannotdie。\"
\"Oh！\"shecried。\"Youwillnotunderstand。Youareonlyagreatgiantthingofflesh。\"
\"Isitnotsaidthatthiseventwasprophesiedofoldtime？\"I
queried，forIhadbeenlearningfromtheJewswhatIdeemedtheirsubtletiesofthinking。
\"Yes，yes，\"sheagreed，\"theMessianicprophecies。ThisistheMessiah。\"
\"ThenwhoamI，\"Iasked，\"tomakeliarsoftheprophets？tomakeoftheMessiahafalseMessiah？IstheprophecyofyourpeoplesofeebleathingthatI，astupidstranger，ayellownorthlingintheRomanharness，cangivethelietoprophecyandcompeltobeunfulfilled——theverythingwilledbythegodsandforetoldbythewisemen？\"
\"Youdonotunderstand，\"sherepeated。
\"Iunderstandtoowell，\"Ireplied。\"AmIgreaterthanthegodsthatImaythwartthewillofthegods？Thenaregodsvainthingsandtheplaythingsofmen。Iamaman。I，too，bowtothegods，toallgods，forIdobelieveinallgods，elsehowcameallgodstobe？\"
Sheflungherselfsothatmyhungryarmswereemptyofher，andwestoodapartandlistenedtotheuproarofthestreetasJesusandthesoldiersemergedandstartedontheirway。Andmyheartwassoreinthatsogreatawomancouldbesofoolish。ShewouldsaveGod。ShewouldmakeherselfgreaterthanGod。
\"Youdonotloveme，\"shesaidslowly，andslowlygrewinhereyesapromiseofherselftoodeepandwideforanywords。
\"Iloveyoubeyondyourunderstanding，itseems，\"wasmyreply。\"I
amproudtoloveyou，forIknowIamworthytoloveyouandamworthallloveyoumaygiveme。ButRomeismyfoster-mother，andwereIuntruetoher，oflittlepride，oflittleworthwouldbemyloveforyou。\"
TheuproarthatfollowedaboutJesusandthesoldiersdiedawayalongthestreet。AndwhentherewasnofurthersoundofitMiriamturnedtogo，withneitherwordnorlookforme。
Iknewonelastrushofmadhungerforher。Isprangandseizedher。IwouldhorseherandrideawaywithherandmymenintoSyriaawayfromthiscursedcityoffolly。Shestruggled。Icrushedher。
Shestruckmeontheface，andIcontinuedtoholdandcrushher，fortheblowsweresweet。Andtheresheceasedtostruggle。Shebecamecoldandmotionless，sothatIknewtherewasnowoman’slovethatmyarmsgirdled。Formeshewasdead。SlowlyIletgoofher。
Slowlyshesteppedback。Asifshedidnotseemesheturnedandwentawayacrossthequietroom，andwithoutlookingbackpassedthroughthehangingsandwasgone。
I，RagnarLodbrog，nevercametoreadnorwrite。ButinmydaysI
havelistenedtogreattalk。AsIseeitnow，Ineverlearnedgreattalk，suchasthatoftheJews，learnedintheirlaw，norsuchasthatoftheRomans，learnedintheirphilosophyandinthephilosophyoftheGreeks。YethaveItalkedinsimplicityandstraightness，asamanmaywelltalkwhohaslivedlifefromtheshipsofTostigLodbrogandtheroofofBrunanbuhracrosstheworldtoJerusalemandbackagain。AndstraighttalkandsimpleIgaveSulpiciusQuirinius，whenIwentawayintoSyriatoreporttohimofthevariousmattersthathadbeenatissueinJerusalem。
CHAPTERXVIII
Suspendedanimationisnothingnew，notaloneinthevegetableworldandinthelowerformsofanimallife，butinthehighlyevolved，complexorganismofmanhimself。Acataleptictranceisacataleptictrance，nomatterhowinduced。FromtimeimmemorialthefakirofIndiahasbeenablevoluntarilytoinducesuchstatesinhimself。Itisanoldtrickofthefakirstohavethemselvesburiedalive。Othermen，insimilartrances，havemisledthephysicians，whopronouncedthemdeadandgavetheordersthatputthemaliveundertheground。
AsmyjacketexperiencesinSanQuentincontinuedIdweltnotalittleonthisproblemofsuspendedanimation。IrememberedhavingreadthatthefarnorthernSiberianpeasantsmadeapracticeofhibernatingthroughthelongwintersjustasbearsandotherwildanimalsdo。Somescientiststudiedthesepeasantsandfoundthatduringtheseperiodsofthe\"longsleep\"respirationanddigestionpracticallyceased，andthattheheartwasatsolowtensionastodefydetectionbyordinarylayman’sexamination。
Insuchatrancethebodilyprocessesaresoneartoabsolutesuspensionthattheairandfoodconsumedarepracticallynegligible。Onthisreasoning，partly，wasbasedmydefianceofWardenAthertonandDoctorJackson。ItwasthusthatIdaredchallengethemtogivemeahundreddaysinthejacket。Andtheydidnotdareacceptmychallenge。
NeverthelessIdidmanagetodowithoutwater，aswellasfood，duringmyten-days’bouts。Ifounditanintolerablenuisance，inthedeepsofdreamacrossspaceandtime，tobehaledbacktothesordidpresentbyadespicableprisondoctorpressingwatertomylips。SoIwarnedDoctorJackson，first，thatIintendeddoingwithoutwaterwhileinthejacket；andnext，thatIwouldresistanyeffortstocompelmetodrink。
Ofcoursewehadourlittlestruggle；butafterseveralattemptsDoctorJacksongaveitup。ThereafterthespaceoccupiedinDarrellStanding’slifebyajacket-boutwasscarcelymorethanafewticksoftheclock。ImmediatelyIwaslacedIdevotedmyselftoinducingthelittledeath。Frompracticeitbecamesimpleandeasy。I
suspendedanimationandconsciousnesssoquicklythatIescapedthereallyterriblesufferingconsequentuponsuspendingcirculation。
Mostquicklycamethedark。AndthenextI，DarrellStanding，knewwasthelightagain，thefacesbendingovermeasIwasunlaced，andtheknowledgethattendayshadpassedinthetwinklingofaneye。
Butoh，thewonderandthegloryofthosetendaysspentbymeelsewhere！Thejourneysthroughthelongchainofexistences！Thelongdarks，thegrowingsofnebulouslights，andtheflutteringapparitionalselvesthatdawnedthroughthegrowinglight！
MuchhaveIponderedupontherelationoftheseotherselvestome，andoftherelationofthetotalexperiencetothemoderndoctrineofevolution。Icantrulysaythatmyexperienceisincompleteaccordwithourconclusionsofevolution。
I，likeanyman，amagrowth。IdidnotbeginwhenIwasbornnorwhenIwasconceived。Ihavebeengrowing，developing，throughincalculablemyriadsofmillenniums。Alltheseexperiencesofalltheselives，andofcountlessotherlives，havegonetothemakingofthesoul-stufforthespirit-stuffthatisI。Don’tyousee？
Theyarethestuffofme。Matterdoesnotremember，forspiritismemory。Iamthisspiritcompoundedofthememoriesofmyendlessincarnations。
Whencecameinme，DarrellStanding，theredpulseofwraththathaswreckedmylifeandputmeinthecondemnedcells？Surelyitdidnotcomeintobeing，wasnotcreated，whenthebabethatwastobeDarrellStandingwasconceived。Thatoldredwrathisfarolderthanmymother，farolderthantheoldestandfirstmotherofmen。
Mymother，atmyinception，didnotcreatethatpassionatelackoffearthatismine。Notallthemothersofthewholeevolutionofmenmanufacturedfearorfearlessnessinmen。Farbackbeyondthefirstmenwerefearandfearlessness，love，hatred，anger，alltheemotions，growing，developing，becomingthestuffthatwastobecomemen。
Iamallofmypast，aseveryprotagonistoftheMendelianlawmustagree。Allmypreviousselveshavetheirvoices，echoes，promptingsinme。Myeverymodeofaction，heatofpassion，flickerofthoughtisshaded，toned，infinitesimallyshadedandtoned，bythatvastarrayofotherselvesthatprecededmeandwentintothemakingofme。
Thestuffoflifeisplastic。Atthesametimethisstuffneverforgets。Moulditasyouwill，theoldmemoriespersist。Allmannerofhorses，fromtonShirestodwarfShetlands，havebeenbredupanddownfromthosefirstwildponiesdomesticatedbyprimitiveman。Yettothisdaymanhasnotbredoutthekickofthehorse。
AndI，whoamcomposedofthosefirsthorse-tamers，havenothadtheirredangerbredoutofme。
Iammanbornofwoman。Mydaysarefew，butthestuffofmeisindestructible。Ihavebeenwomanbornofwoman。Ihavebeenawomanandbornemychildren。AndIshallbebornagain。Oh，incalculabletimesagainshallIbeborn；andyetthestupiddoltsaboutmethinkthatbystretchingmyneckwitharopetheywillmakemecease。
Yes，Ishallbehanged……soon。ThisistheendofJune。Inalittlewhiletheywilltrytobefoolme。Theywilltakemefromthiscelltothebath，accordingtotheprisoncustomoftheweeklybath。ButIshallnotbebroughtbacktothiscell。Ishallbedressedoutrightinfreshclothesandbetakentothedeath-cell。
Theretheywillplacethedeath-watchonme。Nightorday，wakingorsleeping，Ishallbewatched。IshallnotbepermittedtoputmyheadundertheblanketsforfearImayanticipatetheStatebychokingmyself。
Alwaysbrightlightwillblazeuponme。Andthen，whentheyhavewellweariedme，theywillleadmeoutonemorninginashirtwithoutacollaranddropmethroughthetrap。Oh，Iknow。Theropetheywilldoitwithiswell-stretched。FormanyamonthnowthehangmanofFolsomhasbeenstretchingitwithheavyweightssoastotakethespringoutofit。
Yes，Ishalldropfar。Theyhavecunningtablesofcalculations，likeinteresttables，thatshowthedistanceofthedropinrelationtothevictim’sweight。Iamsoemaciatedthattheywillhavetodropmefarinordertobreakmyneck。Andthentheonlookerswilltaketheirhatsoff，andasIswingthedoctorswillpresstheirearstomychesttocountmyfadingheartbeats，andatlasttheywillsaythatIamdead。
Itisgrotesque。Itistheridiculouseffronteryofmen-maggotswhothinktheycankillme。Icannotdie。Iamimmortal，astheyareimmortal；thedifferenceisthatIknowitandtheydonotknowit。
Pah！Iwasonceahangman，oranexecutioner，rather。WellI
rememberit！Iusedthesword，nottherope。Theswordisthebraverway，althoughallwaysareequallyinefficacious。Forsooth，asifspiritcouldbethrustthroughwithsteelorthrottledbyarope！