It was not the first incident he had seen which showed him his own fate if it became known that he intended to treat with Rome. He put aside his calculations in that direction as a detail not yet in order, and turned to the organization of his army. Here again he met obstacle.
Among his council of Bezethans he found an enthusiasm for some intangible purpose, objection to his own plans and a certain hauteur that he could not understand.
"What is it you hope for, brethren?" he asked one night as he stood in the gloom of the crypt under the ruin with fifty of his ablest thinkers and soldiers about him.
"The days of Samuel before Israel cursed itself with a king," one man declared. The others were suddenly silent.
"Those days will not come to you," he answered patiently. "You must fight for them."
"We will fight."
"Good! Let us unite and I will lead you," the Maccabee offered.
"But after you have led us, perhaps to victory, then what?" they asked pointedly.
The Maccabee saw that they were sounding him for his ambitions, and discreetly effaced them.
"Do with me what you will; or if you doubt me, choose a leader among yourselves."