“Josedech, Chief of the Council of Joppa, to Joshua, Governor of Jerusalem.
“Know that a swift pinnace has arrived, bringing news that the fleet of Antiochus the King is on its way hither. It will arrive, unless it be hindered by weather or any other unforeseen cause, on the second day. Let us know so soon as shall be possible how the heathen should be received, whether we shall admit him into the city, and to whom we shall assign the task of entertaining him. Farewell.”
Jason’s face flushed as he read this curt and not very courteous epistle. “Governor of Jerusalem, indeed!” he muttered to himself. “So the old bigot [pg 17]won’t acknowledge me to be high priest. I shall have to give him a lesson, and teach him who he is and who I am. ‘How the heathen is to be received.’ What is the fool thinking of? As if he could be shut out of the city if he chooses to come in! Well, I see plainly enough that there will be mischief here, if I don’t take care. It won’t be enough to write. I must send some of my own people to receive the king.”
He pressed a hand-bell that stood on the table. “Send the letter-carrier here,” he said to the servant who answered the summons. In a few minutes the man appeared.
“When can you start back with my answer?” asked the high priest.
“This instant, my lord, if it should so please you.”
“And the other posts are ready?”
“Each at his place, my lord.”
“And when will the letter be delivered in Joppa?”
“Let me think,” said the messenger. “The distance should be about two hundred and eighty furlongs, and the way descends. ’Tis now scarcely the first hour of the night. I should say that the letter should be there an hour before midnight.”