gigantic fists of the barbarian began to squeeze from pity and
suppressed rage. The death only moved him; but at thought of that
rabble reviling the Lamb nailed to the cross, the simple soul in him was
indignant, and a wild desire of vengeance seized the man.

"Urban, dost thou know who Judas was?" asked Chilo, suddenly.

"I know, I know!--but he hanged himself!" exclaimed the laborer.

And in his voice there was a kind of sorrow that the traitor had meted
out punishment to himself, and that Judas could not fall into his hands.

"But if he had not hanged himself," continued Chilo, "and if some
Christian were to meet him on land or on sea, would it not be the duty
of that Christian to take revenge for the torment, the blood, and the
death of the Saviour?"

"Who is there who would not take revenge, father?"

"Peace be with thee, faithful servant of the Lamb! True, it is
permitted to forgive wrongs done ourselves; but who has the right to
forgive a wrong done to God? But as a serpent engenders a serpent, as
malice breeds malice, and treason breeds treason, so from the poison of
Judas another traitor has come; and as that one delivered to Jews and
Roman soldiers the Saviour, so this man who lives among us intends to
give Christ's sheep to the wolves; and if no one will anticipate the
treason, if no one will crush the head of the serpent in time,
destruction is waiting for us all, and with us will perish the honor of
the Lamb."