I am of the degree of slaves.

My father was a prince of Jerusalem, and, as a merchant, he sailed the seas.

He was known and honored in the guest-chamber of the great Augustus." "His name ?" "Ithamar, of the house of Hur." The tribune raised his hand in astonishment.
"A son of Hur--thou ?" After a silence, he asked, "What brought thee here ?" Judah lowered his head, and his breast labored hard.

When his feelings were sufficiently mastered, he looked the tribune in the face, and answered, "I was accused of attempting to assassinate Valerius Gratus, the procurator." "Thou!" cried Arrius, yet more amazed, and retreating a step.
"Thou that assassin! All Rome rang with the story.

It came to my ship in the river by Lodinum." The two regarded each other silently.
"I thought the family of Hur blotted from the earth," said Arrius, speaking first.
A flood of tender recollections carried the young man's pride away; tears shone upon his cheeks.
"Mother--mother! And my little Tirzah! Where are they?
O tribune, noble tribune, if thou knowest anything of them"-- he clasped his hands in appeal--"tell me all thou knowest.