Chapter 10

More canvas was slowly creeping up the foremast, sailors tugging in unison at the ropes. Pulleys squealed. Fulvius and Mencius, facing each other soberly, stood at attention, thrusting forward stiff right arms in a farewell salute. Voldi, less formally, waved a hand. A much-mended sail was crawling up the mizzen-mast. Out in the bay the other ships were winching up their anchors. The fleet was on its way to Rome.

In less than an hour Voldi and Mencius were riding through an increasingly fertile and well-kept country, strikingly different from the unproductive and ill-conditioned lands eastward of Gaza. The vineyards showed good care. The houses and barns were larger. The cattle in the pastures were sleek and fat. Mencius swept the rich landscape with a panoramic gesture and discoursed of its value.

‘This is what Alexander wanted when he laid siege to Philistia. It has always been coveted by somebody, for it is truly a garden-spot. The owners of these farms and vineyards are temporarily unmolested—but it will not be for long. Voldi, if a man hopes to live at peace in this world he must pitch his tent in a desert so bare that even a bug would starve on it.’

‘How do you account for the peace that these prosperous people are enjoying at present?’ inquired Voldi.

‘That is an interesting and amusing story,’ replied Mencius. ‘For some time there has flourished in Jerusalem a politically powerful family—the Maccabees. They are rich as Midas and shrewd as Satan. Many years ago they took pains to ingratiate themselves with Herod, backed him solidly in his reign, flattered him with gifts and compliments. Remembering that the war-battered little town of Askelon was Herod’s birthplace, they volunteered to rebuild it in splendour. You will see, presently, what they made of it. The King, much gratified, donated a beautiful consulate. Then the Maccabees—with Herod’s consent—encouraged a colony of wealthy fugitives from Athens to move in and redeem the neglected countryside.’

‘Now that it has been put in order,’ remarked Voldi, ‘it’s a wonder you Romans haven’t—’

‘That’s the amusing part of the story,’ broke in Mencius. ‘Tiberius would like to have it; but, if he were to take it, he would instantly find himself at war with the Maccabees. He isn’t quite ready for that—and the Maccabees know that he knows it. As the matter stands, the Emperor considers himself better off by levying heavy taxes on the Maccabees than risking a costly war with them. That will come—later.’

‘In our time?’

‘You will think so when you see what is going on at the harbour in Caesarea.’

‘Don’t the Jews realize what is in store for them?’