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
city, or perhaps the results of some counter-attack in another part.
Thus the advantage rested, or seemed to rest, with the Jews, who held
all the ruined houses and swept the open space with their arrows. Now
it was that Nehushta's fears were justified, for having a little leisure
the Jews took a beam of wood and battered in the walled-up doorway of
the tower.
"Look!" said Nehushta, pointing down.
"Oh, Nou!" Miriam answered, "I was wrong. I have run you into danger.
But indeed I could not go. What shall we do now?"
"Sit quiet until they come to take us," said Nehushta grimly, "and then,
if they give us time, explain as best we may."
As it chanced, however, the Jews did not come, since they feared that
if they mounted the stair some sudden rush of Romans might trap such
of them as were within before they had time to descend again. Only they
made use of the base of the tower to shelter those of their wounded
whose hurts were so desperate that they dared not move them.
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