"
They stood forward.
"Now wade into the sea," he cried again, and they waded out until
the water reached their armpits, when they were seized one by one and
dragged into the boat. Many followed them and were also dragged in,
until that boat and the other were quite full, whereon they turned and
were rowed to the galley. Having embarked them, the two boats went
back and again were filled with fugitives, for the most part women and
children.
Again they went, but as they laded for the third time, the ends of
ladders appeared above the encircling walls of the steps, and Syrians
could be seen rushing out upon the portico, whence they began to lower
themselves with ropes. The end of that scene was dreadful. The boats
were full, till the water indeed began to overflow their gunwales,
but many still remained upon the steps or rushed into the water,
women screaming and holding their children above their heads, and men
thrusting them aside in the mad rush for life. The boats rowed off, some
who could swim following them. For the rest, their end was the sword. In
all, seventy souls were rescued.
Miriam flung herself downwards upon the deck of the galley and burst
into tears, crying out:
"Oh! save them! Can no one save them?" while Benoni seated at her side,
the water running from his blood-stained garment, moaned:
"My house sacked; my wealth taken; my people slain by the Gentiles!"
"Thank God Who has saved us," broke in old Nehushta, "God and Caleb; and
as for you, master, blame yourself.
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