But although he thought
of doing so, Marcus had no means of communicating with Titus, and was
still too lame to attempt escape. Could he have found any, indeed, to
make use of them might have brought destruction upon the Essenes, who
had treated him kindly and saved his life. Also among the Romans it was
a disgrace for a soldier, and especially for an officer of high rank, to
be made prisoner, and he was loth to expose his own shame. As Gallus had
told Miriam, no Roman should be taken alive. So Marcus attempted to do
nothing, but waited, sick at heart, for whatever fate fortune might send
him. Indeed, had he been quite sure that Miriam was dead, he, who was
disgraced and a captive, would have slain himself and followed her. But
although none doubted her death--except Nehushta--his spirit did not
tell him that this was so. Thus it came about that Marcus lived on among
the Essenes till his health and strength came back to him, as it was
appointed that he should do until the time came for him to act. At
length that time came.
When Samuel, the Essene, left Tyre, bearing the letter and the ring of
Miriam, he journeyed to Jerusalem to find the Holy City but a heap
of ruins, haunted by hyaenas and birds of prey that feasted on the
innumerable dead.
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