k them in their own intrenchments--when we should be shot down
by their archers and slingers, before ever we should reach them."

"But how are we to make them attack us? We want nothing better."

"I will think it over," Josephus said, "and tell you in the
morning."

In the morning, to the surprise of the men, they were ordered to
dip large numbers of garments into the precious supply of water,
and to hang them on the walls. Loud were the outcries of the women,
as they saw the scanty store of water, upon which their lives
depended, so wasted; but the orders were obeyed, and the Romans
were astonished at seeing the long line of dripping garments on the
wall.

The stratagem had its effect. Vespasian thought that the news he
had received, that the place was ill supplied with water, must be
erroneous; and ordered the troops again to take their station on
the walls, and renew the attack. Great was the exultation among the
Jews, when they saw the movement among the troops; and Josephus,
ordering the fighting men together, said that now was their
opportunity. There was no hope of safety, in passive resistance;
therefore they had best sally out and, if they must die, leave at
least a glorious example to posterity.

The proposal was joyfully received, and he placed himself at their
head. The gates were suddenly opened, and they poured out to the
attack. So furious was their onslaught that the Romans were driven
from the embankment. The Jews pursued them, crossed the lines of
circumvallation, and attacked the Romans in their camp; tearing up
the hides and penthouses behind which the Romans defended
themselves, and setting fire to the lines in many places.

The fight raged all day. The Jews then retired to the city, only to
sally out again, the following morning. For three days the attacks
were continued; the Jews driving in the Romans, each day, and
retiring when Vespasian brought up heavy columns--who were unable,
from the weight of their armor, to follow their lightly-armed
assailants. Vespasian then ordered the regular troops to remain in
camp, the assaults being repelled by the archers and slingers.

Finding that the courage of the Jews was unabated, and that his
troops were losing heavily in this irregular fighting, he
determined to renew the siege, at all hazards, and bring the matter
to a close. The heavy-armed troops were ordered to be in readiness,
and to advance against the walls with the battering ram. This was