rom them, turned and fled. Titus hesitated
a moment. In front of him was an unknown country. He knew not
whither the lane he was following led. Hedges rose on either side
and, even did he burst through the crowd in front of him, he might
be overwhelmed by missiles, as he rode on. Therefore, calling upon
his men to follow him, he turned round and dashed into the crowd
which barred his retreat.

He wore neither helmet nor breastplate for, as he had only advanced
to reconnoiter, and with no thought of fighting, these had been
left behind. Yet, though javelins flew around him in showers, and
arrows whizzed close to him, not one touched him as he struck,
right and left, among those who barred his passage; while his
warhorse, excited by the shouts and tumult, trampled them under his
feet.

In vain the Jews, astonished at his bravery, and still more so at
his immunity from harm amid the shower of missiles, strove to seize
him. He and his little band cut his way onward, those in front
drawing back with almost superstitious fear from his attack. Two,
only, of his followers were slain. One fell, pierced with numerous
javelins. Another was pulled from his horse and killed but, with
the rest, he emerged unharmed from among his assailants, and
reached his camp in safety.

The soldiers of Simon--for it was his men who guarded this part of
the wall--returned with mingled feelings. They were triumphant that
they had caused the son of Caesar, himself, to fly before them.
They were humiliated that so great a prize should have escaped
them, when he seemed in their hands; and they had a superstitious
feeling that he had been divinely protected from their assaults.

From their lookout, Simon and John had seen the Roman cavalry turn
off from the Damascus road into the lane, and had then lost sight
of them. Then they heard the sudden din of battle, and the shouts
of the combatants, and saw the Roman cavalry riding off in full
speed; but the clamor had continued and, in a short time, another
little party of horsemen were seen to issue from the lane, and
follow their companions.

Simon laughed, grimly.

"We have taught the Romans, early, that the wasps have stings and
that, if they think they are going to take the nest without
trouble, they will be mistaken.

"And now, John, what do you advise? You were, they say, at Jotapata
and Gamala; and you have since shown how well you understand the
Roman tactics. I am a soldier, with an arm t