he high town, ran
northward to Psephinus--or the Rubble Tower--then eastward to the
Valley of Jehoshaphat, and again south to the Temple platform. The
second wall, inclosing the inner low town--or Inner Acra, as it was
sometimes called--was divided between the two. Simon also held the
first wall, from Hippicus right round at the foot of Zion across
the lower end of the Tyropoeon Valley, and round the outer low town
as far as the platform of the Temple. John held the Temple
platform, the middle low town, and some parts of the city
immediately adjacent, both on the south slope of Mount Moriah--or
Ophel, as this portion of the hill was called--and part of the
inner low town.

The line, therefore, which Simon had to defend was vastly greater
than that held by John's troops but, in fact, the whole line
bordering the valleys of Hinnom and Jehoshaphat was practically
unassailable--the wall being built along the edge of precipices,
where it could not be attacked either with battering rams or by
escalade--and it was really the north face of the city, only, that
was exposed to serious assault. The outer wall on this side--that
against which the assault would first be made--was entirely
occupied by Simon's troops; but it was not anticipated that any
successful resistance could be made here, for the walls, hastily
raised by the Jews after turning out the Romans, were incapable of
offering a long resistance to such a force as was now to assail it.
It was, then, at the second wall that the first great stand would
be made; and John and Simon's troops divided this between them, so
that the division was fair enough, when it was considered that
Simon's force was more than double that of John.

When this matter had been arranged, John of Gischala said to Simon:

"Who is this young man who accompanies you?"

"He is one who has done much more for the cause than either you or
I, John of Gischala; and indeed, hitherto it may be doubted whether
we have not been the two worst enemies of Jerusalem. This is John
of Gamala, of whom we have heard so often, during the last three
years."

"This, John of Gamala!" John repeated, in a tone of incredulity;
"you are mocking me, Simon."

"I mock no one," Simon said, sternly. "I tell you this is John of
Gamala; and when we think that you and I--men of war--have as yet
struck no single blow against the Romans, since I aided in the
defeat of the legion of Cestius--for you fled from Gischala like a
c