I'm old now, and am I to have no more pleasure ?" Dismas said meaningly: "If the old man does not keep his agreement, the troop will have its pleasure, and, for a change, swing him who likes to be called king of the desert." That had the desired effect.

Barabbas knew the band cared much more for Dismas than for himself, and he did not wish matters to come to a climax.
When day dawned a mule was led to Simeon.

One of his slaves, with his wounded arm in a sling, was allowed him, and he carried some bread and his cloak, and led the beast.

And so the citizen of Jerusalem returned to the town he had left a week before under such brilliant circumstances, a defeated and plundered man.
The affair attracted great attention in the city.

Armed incursions were eagerly made into the desert between Jerusalem and the Jordan, where one evil deed after another was reported.