Then
from the Roman lines rose a cry of "Rescue!" and from the Jews a cry of
"Take him."
Out poured the combatants from either side of the market-place by
hundreds and by thousands, and there in its centre, round the struggling
forms of Caleb and of Marcus, began the fiercest fight of all that day.
Where men stood, there they fell, for none would give back, since the
Romans, outnumbered though they were, preferred to die rather than leave
a wounded and beloved captain a prisoner in the hands of cruel enemies,
while the Jews knew too well the value of such a prize to let it escape
them easily. So great was the slaughter that presently Marcus and Caleb
were hidden beneath the bodies of the fallen. More and more Jews rushed
into the fray, but still the Romans pushed onwards with steady valour,
fighting shoulder to shoulder and shield to shield.
Then of a sudden, with a savage yell a fresh body of Jews, three or
four hundred strong, appeared at the west end of the market-place, and
charged upon the Romans, taking them in flank. The officer in command
saw his danger, and knowing that it was better that his captain should
die than that the whole company should be destroyed and the arms of
Caesar suffer a grave defeat, gave orders for a retirement.
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