wherefore?"

"Because one army or the other may chance to think that this building
would be useful to them, and break open the walled-up door. Also they
might explore this staircase, and then----"

"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
c