The visitor did not refuse a second cup of wine, swallowed several oysters with obvious pleasure, sampled the boiled vegetables, and ate a piece of meat.

After eating his fill, he praised the wine, " A superb wine, Procurator. Is it a Falernum? "

" A thirty-year-old Cecubum, " replied the procurator amiably.

The guest pressed his hand to his heart, declined any more food and said he was full. Then Pilate filled his own cup, and his guest did the same. Both of them poured some of their wine onto a platter with the meat, and, raising his cup, the procurator said in a low voice, " To us, to you, Caesar, father of the Romans, dearest and best of men! "

How ti«Procurator Tried to Save Judas of Kerioth 259

After this they drank their wine, and the Africans cleared the table of food, leaving just the fruit and the jugs. Once again the procurator signalled the servants to leave, and he and his guest were left alone under the colonnade.

" And so, " Pilate began softly, " what can you tell me of the mood in the city? "

Involuntarily, he turned his gaze to the place beyond and below the garden terraces, where the colonnades and flat roofs were being gilded by the sun's last rays.

" I believe, Procurator, " replied the guest, " that the mood in Yer-shalaim is now satisfactory."

" So we can count on there being no more disturbances? "

" We can count, " replied the guest, looking affectionately at the procurator, " on only one thing in this world—the power of the mighty Caesar."

" May the gods grant him long life, " joined in Pilate immediately, " and universal peace." After a brief silence he continued, " So you think we can have the troops withdrawn? "

" I think that the Lightning Cohort can be withdrawn, " replied the guest, adding, " But it would be a good idea if it marched around the city as it left."

" A very good idea, " the procurator agreed, " I shall have the Lightning Cohort withdrawn the day after tomorrow, and I myself shall leave—and I swear to you by the Feast of the Twelve Gods, and by the Lares—I would have given a great deal to have been able to leave today! "

" The Procurator does not like Yershalaim? " queried the guest good-humoredly.

" Have mercy on me, " exclaimed the procurator, smiling, " There is no more hopeless place on earth. To say nothing of the climate! I get sick every time I am forced to come here. But that alone would not be so bad. It's these holidays—magicians, sorcerers, wizards, these hoards of pilgrims... Fanatics, fanatics! Look at the trouble caused by this messiah alone, who they've suddenly started waiting for this year! Every minute expecting to have to witness some ghastly bloodbath. Constantly having to transfer troops around, reading accusations and denunciations, half of which are written against you yourself! You will agree, that's tedious. Oh, if weren't for the imperial service!..."

" Yes, the holidays here are difficult, " agreed the guest.

" With all my heart I wish them to be over soon, " added Pilate vigorously. Then I shall at last be able to return to Caesarea. Can you believe that this absurd construction of Herod's, " —the procurator waved his hand at the colonnade to show that he was referring to the palace— " is positively driving me out of my mind. I cannot bear to spend the night here. No stranger piece of architecture has ever been seen! But let's get back to business. First of all, is that damned Bar-rabban causing