At every turning of the lane the demon seemed to propel Joseph more violently, till at last he put Azariah out of his head and began to ask himself if he would be guilty of any great sin in going to see the cock-fight?  Of any sin greater than that of following the custom of the heathen?  His father might be angry, but there’d be no particular atonement:  a fast day, or some study of the law, no more, for he’d be careful not to raise his eyes to the gods and goddesses that beset the streets and public places in Tiberias.  And on this resolve he followed the cockers into the city.  He was glad to see that many statues stood on the roofs of the buildings and so far away that no faces or limbs were visible; but the statues in the streets were difficult to avoid seeing.  Worst of all, the cock-fight that he thought would be fought in the open air had been arranged to happen in a great building—­a theatre or circus—­he did not know which.  Joseph had never seen so great a crowd before, and the servants he had come with pointed out to him their master among a group of Romans.  The Jews from Alexandria, he was told, came to these games, and this caused his conscience to quicken, for he had heard his father speak of the Alexandrian Jews as heretics.  Azariah did not hold such orthodox views, but what his tutor’s views were about cock-fighting Joseph did not know; and when he asked if he might approach the ring he was told that the circle about the ring was for the Romans and those whom they might invite, but he’d be able to see very well from where he was.

The Romans seemed to him an arrogant and proud people; and, conscious of an innate hostility, he watched them as they leaned over the railing that enclosed the fighting ring, talking among themselves, sometimes, however, deigning to call a Jew to join them.  The Jews came to them obsequiously, hoping that the honour bestowed upon them did not escape notice; and Joseph’s ear caught servile phrases:  young Sir, it is reported you’ve a bird that will smite down all comers, and, Sir, we can offer you but a poor show of birds.  Those at Rome——­

A sudden silence fell, which was broken by the falling of dice, and Joseph was told that the throw would decide which seven birds were to begin....  We have won the throw, was whispered in his ear.  We’ve the advantage.  But why it was an advantage to fight from the right rather than from the left Joseph was too excited to inquire, for the cocks had just been put into the ring or pit, and Joseph recognised the tall lank bird that the Heeler had taken out of his basket in the orchard.  He’s fighting to-day with long spurs, he was told.  But why does he fight the other bird—­a yearling? he heard the woman ask; and he saw a black cock crouch to meet the red in deadly fight.  Must one die? he asked, but the cockers were too intent on the battle to answer his question.  The birds re-sparred and leaped aside, avoiding each other’s rushes, and before long it became clear even to Joseph