was naught, then, to be gained by surrender; even had anyone
dared to propose it. As for victory, over such a host as that which
was marching to the assault, none could hope for it. For, hold out
as they might, and repel every assault on the wall, there was an
enemy within which would conquer them.

For Jotapata possessed no wells. The water had, daily, to be
fetched by the women from the stream in the ravine and, although
stores of grain had been collected, sufficient to last for many
months, the supply of water stored up in cisterns would scarce
suffice to supply the multitudes gathered on the rock for a
fortnight.

Death, then, certain and inevitable, awaited them; and yet, an
occasional wail from some woman, as she pressed her children to her
breast, alone told of the despair which reigned in every heart. The
greater portion looked out, silent, and as if stupefied. They had
relied, absolutely, on the mountains and forests to block the
progress of the invader. They had thought that, at the worst, they
would have had to deal with a few companies of infantry, only.
Thus, the sight of the sixty thousand Roman troops--swelled to nigh
a hundred thousand, by the camp followers and artificers--with its
cavalry and machines of war, seemed like some terrible nightmare.

After making the circuit of the rock, and wandering for some time
among the impromptu camps in the streets, John returned to a group
of boys whom he had noticed, leaning against the low wall with a
carelessness, as to the danger of a fall over the precipice, which
proved that they must be natives of the place.

"If there be any possible way of descending these precipices," he
said to himself, "it will be the boys who will know of it. Where a
goat could climb, these boys, born among the mountains, would try
to follow; if only to excel each other in daring, and to risk
breaking their necks."

Thus thinking, he walked up to the group, who were from twelve to
fifteen years old.

"I suppose you belong to the town?" he began.

There was a general assent from the five boys, who looked with
considerable respect at John--who, although but two years the
senior of the eldest among them, wore a man's garb, and carried
sword and buckler.

"I am one of the bodyguard of the governor," John went on, "and I
dare say you can tell me all sorts of things, about this country,
that may be useful for him to know. Is it quite certain that no one
could climb up these rocks