44. About this time it was that Jonathan and his fellow legates
came. They were sent, as we have said already, by Simon, and
Ananus the high priest. And Jonathan contrived how he might catch
me by treachery; for he durst not make any attempt upon me
openly. So he wrote me the following epistle: "Jonathan and those
that are with him, and are sent by the people of Jerusalem, to
Josephus, send greeting. We are sent by the principal men of
Jerusalem, who have heard that John of Gischala hath laid many
snares for thee, to rebuke him, and to exhort him to be subject
to thee hereafter. We are also desirous to consult with thee
about our common concerns, and what is fit to be done. We
therefore desire thee to come to us quickly, and to bring only a
few men with thee; for this village will not contain a great
number of soldiers." Thus it was that they wrote, as expecting
one of these two things; either that I should come without armed
men, and then they should have me wholly in their power; or, if I
came with a great number, they should judge me to be a public
enemy. Now it was a horseman who brought the letter, a man at
other times bold, and one that had served in the army under the
king. It was the second hour of the night that he came, when I
was feasting with my friends, and the principal of the Galileans.
This man, upon my servant's telling me that a certain horseman of
the Jewish nation was come, was called in at my command, but did
not so much as salute me at all, but held out a letter, and said,
"This letter is sent thee by those that are come from Jerusalem;
do thou write an answer to it quickly; for I am obliged to return
to them very soon. Now my guests could not but wonder at the
boldness of the soldier. But I desired him to sit down and sup
with us; but when he refused so to do, I held the letter in my