all regard this not as
a truce, but as the beginning of peace between us; and our rivalry
shall be who shall best defend the Holy City against her foes."

"So be it!" John of Gischala replied; "but I would that Eleazar
were here. He is an enemy in my midst; and just as, whenever I was
fighting with you, he fell upon me from behind; so will it be that,
while I am struggling with the Romans, he may be attacking me from
the inner Temple. He has none of the outer walls to defend; and
will, therefore, be free to choose the moment when he can fall upon
me, unawares."

"Make peace with him, at any price," John said, "only put an end to
this strife, and let there be no more bloodshed in the Temple. How
can we hope for God's assistance, in defending the city, when his
altars are being daily desecrated with blood?"

"I will see what I can do," John said. "Somehow or other, this
strife must be brought to an end; and it shall be done without
bloodshed, if possible."

"There is another thing, John," Simon said. "Our comrade here has
been telling me that, from what he saw at Jotapata and Gamala, he
is convinced that by passive resistance, only, we cannot defeat the
Romans, but that we must sally out and attack them in their camps,
and at their work; and therefore let us agree that we will meet
here, from time to time, and arrange that, issuing together through
the gates in our portions of the wall, we may unite in falling upon
the Romans."

"The counsel is good," John of Gischala said. "It will keep up the
courage of men, to fight in the open. Whenever an opportunity
presents itself, my men shall act with yours. You have given Titus
a lesson, today. The next time, we will divide the honor."

Chapter 15: The Siege Is Begun.

The Fifth Legion--which had been stationed at Emmaus, halfway
between Jerusalem and Jaffa--marching the greater part of the
night, joined the Twelfth and Fifteenth at their halting place at
Gaboth Saul and, the next morning, the three advanced together. The
Twelfth and Fifteenth marched halfway down the Hill of Scopus, and
encamped together on a knoll; while the Fifth Legion encamped three
furlongs to their rear so that, in case of an attack by the Jews,
its weary soldiers should not have to bear the brunt of the
conflict. As these legions were marking out their camp, the Tenth
Legion--which had marched up from Jericho--appeared on the Mount of
Olives, and Titus sent word for them to encamp there.