ew
eight thousand of them. Thus, eighteen thousand men were killed, by
one weak cohort of foot and a troop of horse; and yet you say we
ought not to hide behind our walls, but to meet them in the open!"

"I would not meet them in the open, where the Roman cavalry could
charge--at any rate, not until our people have learned discipline.
I would harass them, and attack them in defiles, as Cestius was
attacked; harassing them night and day, giving them no peace or
rest, never allowing them to meet us in the plains, but moving
rapidly hither and thither among the mountains--leaving the women
in the cities, which should offer no resistance, so that the Romans
would have no point to strike at--until at length, when we have
gained confidence and discipline and order, we should be able to
take bolder measures, gradually, and fight them hand to hand."

"Maybe you are right, lad," Joab said, thoughtfully. "I like not
being cooped up in a stronghold, myself; and methinks that a
mountain warfare, such as you speak of, would suit the genius of
the people. We are light limbed and active--inured to fatigue, for
we are a nation of cultivators--brave, assuredly, and ready to give
our lives.

"They say that, in the fight near Ascalon, not a Jew fled. Fight
they could not, they were powerless against the rush of the heavy
Roman horse; but they died as they stood, destroyed but not
defeated. Gabara and Gischala and Jotapata may fall but, lad, it
will be only after a defense so desperate that the haughty Romans
may well hesitate; for if such be the resistance of these little
mountain towns, what will not be the task of conquering Jerusalem,
garrisoned by the whole nation?"

"That is true," John said, "and if our deaths here be for the
safety of Jerusalem, we shall not have died in vain. But I doubt
whether such men as those who have power in Jerusalem will agree to
any terms, however favorable, that may be offered.

"It may be that it is God's will that it should be so. Two days
ago, as I journeyed hither, after going down to Sepphoris with a
message from the general to some of the principal inhabitants
there, I met an old man, traveling with his wife and family. I
asked him whether he was on his way hither, but he said 'No,' he
was going across Jordan, and through Manasseh, and over Mount
Hermon into Trachonitis. He said that he was a follower of that
Christ who was put to death, in Jerusalem, some thirty-five years
since, and whom