vered their bodies against the darts;
and as to the engines that were set ready to go to work, the Jews ran
out upon them, before those that should have used them were gotten
upon them. And now, on the ascending of the soldiers, there was a great
conflict, and many actions of the hands and of the soul were exhibited;
while the Jews did earnestly endeavor, in the extreme danger they were
in, not to show less courage than those who, without being in danger,
fought so stoutly against them; nor did they leave struggling with
the Romans till they either fell down dead themselves, or killed
their antagonists. But the Jews grew weary with defending themselves
continually, and had not enough to come in their places, and succor
them; while, on the side of the Romans, fresh men still succeeded
those that were tired; and still new men soon got upon the machines for
ascent, in the room of those that were thrust down; those encouraging
one another, and joining side to side with their shields, which were a
protection to them, they became a body of men not to be broken; and as
this band thrust away the Jews, as though they were themselves but one
body, they began already to get upon the wall.

28. Then did Josephus take necessity for his counselor in this utmost
distress, [which necessity is very sagacious in invention when it is
irritated by despair,] and gave orders to pour scalding oil upon those
whose shields protected them. Whereupon they soon got it ready, being
many that brought it, and what they brought being a great quantity also,
and poured it on all sides upon the Romans, and threw down upon them
their vessels as they were still hissing from the heat of the fire: this
so burnt the Romans, that it dispersed that united band, who now tumbled
clown from the wall with horrid pains, for the oil did easily run down
the whole body from head to foot, under their entire armor, and fed upon
their flesh like flame itself, its fat and unctuous nature rendering it
soon heated and slowly cooled; and as the men were cooped up in their
head-pieces and breastplates, they could no way get free from this
burning oil; they could only leap and roll about in their pains, as they
fell down from the bridges they had laid. And as they thus were beaten
back, and retired to their own party, who still pressed them forward,
they were easily wounded by those that were behind them.

29. However, in this ill success of the Romans, their courage did
not f