"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.
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