The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-16


 sion which has come to me of seeing thy perfect discipline and ths ebedi ence of thy men 10 thy every com mand. Happy must thou be with such an army"
 And why hast thou come with such a great army to Bethsan?" ques- tioned Jonathan, not altogether satis, 1 fled by the cordial words which Tryphon had spoken
 That l might have thy judgment upon them and mightest give them l into thy hand for discipline as thine own army is disciplined he replied, with evident sincerity. See" he ex- 1 claimed, here are the orders which l command that the men in my army | shall obey thee in all that thou shalt say to them. and fortunate indeed will l count myself if thou wilt but come with me and show the manner of thy orders in thine own army. Jonathan took the proffered parch- ment bearing the seal and writing.
 Yea, thou knowest that l may well covet thee as friend, for do l not know that Rome has again made league with thee and have not the Lacedemonians likewise entered into convenant of peace with thee? Tryphon continued to argue, and Jonathan seemed satisfied, for the next day when Tryphon urged him to return with him to Ptolemais he consented thereto.
 Send home thy army. but take with thee those whom thou wouldst have serve thee until thy return Tryphon counseled, and Jonathan, believing such advice was good and that his men were better back in their homes and busy on the land, he dismissed them and sent them back. But 2,000 he sent into Galilee and 1000 picked men he took with him.
 Now as soon as Jonathan had en- tered into Ptolemais with his men the men of the city shut the gates in subtlety at night and going forth they slew while yet they slept all the men whom Jonathan had brought with him, so that when he went forth in the morning he found himself a prisoner in the hands of Tryphon, and he expected that he would be killed, but instead, Tryphon hastened back into Galilee to destroy the forces there before the rest of the army could assemble.
 But when Simon, the brother of Jonathan. heard all this he hastened to gather the men of Judea. But they were in great dismay until he had spoken boldly. saying:
 "Ye yourselves know what great things I. and my brethren, and my fathers house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles which we have seen. By reason whereof all my brethren are slain for Israels sake, and I am left alone. Now be it far from me, that should spare mine own life. in any time of trouble; for am no bet ter than my brethren. Doubtless l will avenge my nation, and the sane tuary, and our wives, and our chil- dren; for all the heathens are gath cred to destroy us of very malice
 
 brave words their spirits revived and they shouted:
 Thou shalt be our leader instead of Jonathan thy brother. Fight our battles and whatsoever thou com mandest us that will we do."
 In this spirit Simon and his army met the great army of Tryphon, which came into Judea, Jonathan be- ing held in ward. And Tryphon sent messengers to Simon, saying:
 Whereas we have Jonathan thy brother in hold, it Is for money that he is owing unto the kings treasury, concerning certain business which was committed unto him. Wherefore now send hundred talents of silver and two of his sons as hostages, that when he is at liberty he may not re volt from us and we will let him go
 Now Simon suspected further de- ceit, but he knew that his followers would blame him if he consented not to these terms and would charge that he had caused the death of Jonathan. So he sent Tryphon the children and the money.
 But Tryphon kept not his word but when he had come to Bascama, he slew Jonathan and buried him there and then returned to his own land. and Simon went and took the bones of Jonathan and buried them in Modin. the city of his fathers and he built monument and all Israel made great lamentation for him and be- walled him many days.
 GnirituaI Exercise.