ibed had been occurring in the
neighbourhood of Jerusalem, Maccabeus, in the mountains, had been
preparing for the deadliest shock of war. Like wave upon wave, each
swelling higher than the one before it, successive armies hurled their
strength against the devoted band that held aloft the banner of the
truth, as a beacon-light gleaming on high amidst the fiercest fury of
the tempest. The mighty Nicanor, son of Patroclus, a man honoured with
the king's peculiar favour, had gathered together a powerful force "to
root out the whole generation of the Jews," and with him was joined in
command Georgias, a general of great experience in war.

A large camp was formed by the Syrians at Emmaus, about a Sabbath-day's
journey from Jerusalem. The hills were darkened with their goats'-hair
tents, the roads thronged with soldiers, and with a multitude of
merchants who brought much silver and gold to purchase Hebrew captives
as slaves for their markets. For so confident of victory was Nicanor,
that he had beforehand proclaimed a sale of the prisoners whom he would
reserve from slaughter; nay, had fixed the very price which he would
demand for his vanquished foes! Ninety of the Hebrew warriors should
be sold for a talent, so ran Nicanor's proclamation.

"These bold outlaws," said the haughty Syrian, "shall spend their
superfluous strength, as did their Samson of old, in grinding corn for
their victors, or in tilling the fields which they once called their
own, with the taskmaster's lash to quicken their labours. Ha! ha! it
were good subject for mirth to see the lordly Maccabeus himself, with
blinded eyes, turning the wheel at the well, and bending his proud back
to serve as my footstool when I mount my Arab steed! This were sweeter
vengeance, a richer triumph, than to hew him to pieces with the sword
which he took from the dead Apollonius. Let the Asmonean fall into my
hands, and he shall taste what it is to endure a living death!"

Maccabeus, on his part, had led his forces to Mizpeh, where they had
encamped. Here a day of solemn humiliation was appointed by the
Asmonean chief; he and his warriors fasted, put on sackcloth, and
united in prayer to the God of Hosts.

The leader then more perfectly organized his little army, dividing it
into bands, and appointing captains over the divisions. While Divine
aid was implored, human means were not neglected.

Early in the morning of the succeeding day, Maccabeus and Simon, his
e