heir way through this, and found themselves in the Conduit of King
Hezekiah. A stream of water, ankle deep, was running through it.

"We need not go further," the woman said. "Once here, you cannot
miss your way. It will take nigh an hour's walking through the
water before you arrive at the chamber of the springs, from which
there is but the one exit."

"I will come down again with you, tonight," John said, "and will
carry your child to the entrance. You will both need all your
strength, when you sally out; so as to get well beyond the Romans,
who are scattered all over the country, cutting wood for their
embankments. Moreover, I shall be able to see, as I come down with
you, whether all the marks are plainly visible, and that there is
no fear of mistake for, once lost in these passages, one would
never find one's way again; and there would be the choice between
dying of hunger, and of being found by the Romans--who will
assuredly search all these passages for fugitives, as they did at
Jotapata.

"Truly, I thank you with all my heart; I feel you have given me the
means of saving my life--that is, if I do not fall in the
fighting."

As they made their way back to the house, John examined the marks
at every turning, and added to those that were not sufficiently
conspicuous to catch the eye at once. When they had gained the
cellar, and replaced the boards, the woman said:

"Why should you not also leave the city, tonight? All say that
there is no hope of resistance; and that John of Gischala and Simon
are only bringing destruction, upon all in the city, by thus
holding out against the Romans. Why should you throw away your life
so uselessly?"

"I have come here to defend the Temple," John said, "and so long as
the Temple stands I will resist the enemy. It may be it is useless,
but no one can say what is the purpose of God, or whether He does
not yet intend to save his Holy Seat. But when the Temple has
fallen, I shall have no more to fight for; and will then, if I can,
save my life, for the sake of those who love me."

That evening, on his return from the wall, John proceeded to the
house of the woman. She was in readiness for the journey. The
child, who was seven or eight years old, was dressed; and the
mother had a little bundle with her valuables by her. As soon as
they descended into the passage below, John offered to carry the
child, but her mother refused.

"She can walk well," she said, "for a time, and