That night Marcus and Nehushta bade farewell to Ithiel.
"I am dying," said the old Essene. "Before ever you can set foot in Rome
the breath will be out of my body, and beneath the desert sand I shall
lie at peace--who desire peace. Yet, say to Miriam, my niece, that my
spirit will watch over her spirit, awaiting its coming in a land where
there are no more wars and tribulations, and that, meanwhile, I who love
her bid her to be of good cheer and to fear nothing."
So they parted from Ithiel and travelled upon horses to Joppa, Marcus
disguising his name and rank lest some officer among the Romans
should detain him. Here by good fortune they found a ship sailing for
Alexandria, and in the port of Alexandria a merchant vessel bound for
Rhegium, in which they took passage, none asking them who they might be.
Upon the night of the burning of the Temple, Caleb, escaping the
slaughter, was driven with Simon the Zealot across the bridge into the
Upper City, which bridge they broke down behind them. Once he tried to
return, in the mad hope that during the confusion he might reach the
gate Nicanor and, if she still lived, rescue Miriam. But already the
Romans held the head of the bridge, and already the Jews were hacking at
its timbers, so in that endeavour he failed and in his heart made sure
that Miriam had perished.
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