o strike but, so far, I
have not had experience in the Roman tactics at sieges. Tell me,
what would you do first, were you commander of this city?"

"There is no doubt what is the first thing to be done," John said.
"It is the duty of all within this city to lay aside their feuds,
and unite in her defense It is for you, as the strongest, to make
the first advance; and to send at once to John and Eleazar to
propose that, so long as the Romans are before the city, there
shall be a truce between you; and to arrange which part of the
walls shall be held by the soldiers of each. You must also arrange
to unite for common action, both in the defense and in attacking
them without the walls; for it is only by disturbing them at their
work, and by hindering them as they bring forward their engines of
war, that you can hope to hold the city. Strong as your walls may
be, they will crumble to ruins when the battering rams once begin
their work against them."

Simon was silent for a minute, then he said:

"Your advice is good. I will send at once to John and Eleazar, and
ask them to meet me on the bridge across the Tyropoeon, which
separates our forces."

The sun was already setting, but the distance was short. Simon
advanced to the bridge and, hailing the Zealots on the other side,
said that he desired an interview with John, in reference to the
defense of the city; and that he pledged his solemn oath that no
harm should come to him. He sent a similar message to Eleazar. John
shortly appeared for, from the summit of Antonia, he too had
watched the advancing Romans, and felt the necessity for common
action for defense of the town.

Eleazar refused to come. He would have trusted Simon, but to reach
the meeting place he would have had to pass through the outer
courts of the Temple held by John, and he knew that no confidence
could be reposed in any oath that the latter might take. He sent
word, however, that he was willing to abstain from all hostilities,
and to make common cause with the others for the defense of the
city.

John of Gischala advanced alone on to the bridge, a wide and
stately edifice carried on lofty arches across the Tyropoeon
valley, from a point near the Palace of Agrippa to the platform of
the Temple.

"Come with me," Simon said to his companion.

John of Gischala paused in his advance, as he saw that Simon was
not alone.

"Let one of your men come with you, if you like," Simon said, with
a grim laug