Therefore,
they must do one of two things--sally out and attempt to cut their way
through and gain open country, or fight on and at the last kill the
women and children and rush out, those that were left of them, to be
hacked down by the besieging thousands. As the first plan gave no hope,
since, cumbered as they were with helpless people, they could not expect
to escape the city, in their despair they decided on the second. All
must die, therefore they would perish by each other's hands. When this
decision was known, a wail went up from the women and the children began
to scream with fright, those of them who were old enough to understand
their doom.
Nehushta caught Miriam by the arm.
"Come to the highest roof," she said; "it is safe from the stones and
arrows, and thence, if need be, we can hurl ourselves into the water and
die an easy death."
So they went and crouched there, praying, for their case was desperate.
Suddenly Nehushta touched Miriam and pointed to the sea. She looked and
saw another galley approaching fast as oars and sails could bring her.
"What of it?" she asked heavily. "It will but hasten the end."
"Nay," replied Nehushta, "this ship is Jewish; she does not fly the
Eagles, or a Phoenician banner.
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