“And then,” answered Miriam quietly, “we should be taken. What of it? If the Jews find us we are of their party; if the Romans—well, I do not greatly fear the Romans.”
“You mean you do not fear one Roman. But who knows, but that he may presently lie dead——”
“Oh! say it not,” answered Miriam, pressing her hand upon her heart. “Nay, safe or unsafe, I will see this fight out. Look, yonder is Caleb—yes, Caleb himself, shouting to the Jews. How fierce is his face, like that of a hyena in a snare. Nay, now I will not go—go you and leave me in peace to watch the end.”
“Since you are too heavy and strong for my old arms to carry down those steep steps, so be it,” answered Nehushta calmly. “After all, we have food with us, and our angels can guard us as well on the top of a tower as in those dirty cisterns. Also this fray is worth the watching.”
As she spoke, the Romans having re-formed, led by the Prefect Marcus and other officers, advanced from their entrenchment, to be met half-way by the Jews, now reinforced from the Temple, among whom was Caleb. There, in the open space, they fought hand to hand, for neither force would yield an inch. Miriam, watching through the stone bars from above, had eyes for only two of all that multitude of men—Marcus, whom she loved, and Caleb, whom she feared. Marcus was attacked by a Jew, who stabbed his horse, to be instantly stabbed himself by a Roman who came to the rescue of his commander. After this he fought on foot. Caleb killed first one soldier than another. Watching him, Miriam grew aware that he was cutting his way towards some point, and that the point was Marcus. This Marcus seemed to know; at least, he also strove to cut his way towards Caleb. Nearer and nearer they came, till at length they met and began to rain blows upon each other; but not for long, for just then a charge of some Roman horsemen separated them. After this both parties retired to their lines, taking their wounded with them.
Thus, with pauses, sometimes of two or three hours, the fight went on from morning to noon, and from noon to sunset. During the latter part of the time the Romans made no more attacks, but were contented with defending themselves while they awaited reinforcements from without the city, or perhaps the results of some counter-attack in another part.
Thus the advantage rested, or seemed to rest, with the Jews, who held all the ruined houses and swept the open space with their arrows. Now it was that Nehushta’s fears were justified, for having a little leisure the Jews took a beam of wood and battered in the walled-up doorway of the tower.
“Look!” said Nehushta, pointing down.
“Oh, Nou!” Miriam answered, “I was wrong. I have run you into danger. But indeed I could not go. What shall we do now?”
“Sit quiet until they come to take us,” said Nehushta grimly, “and then, if they give us time, explain as best we may.”