ved to this
thought. But from the bottle she could not drink, for her hands being
bound behind her, she was able neither to lift it nor to untie the thong
that made fast its neck. Therefore, as, notwithstanding the dew which
she had lapped, she needed drink sorely and longed also for the use of
her hands to protect herself from the tormenting attacks of stinging
gnats and carrion flies, she set herself to try to free them.

Now the gilt spike that crowned her pillar was made fast with
angle-irons let into the marble and the edge of one of these irons
projected somewhat and was rough. Looking at it the thought came into
Miriam's mind that it might serve to rub through the cord with which her
hands were bound. So standing with her back to the pillar she began her
task, to find that it must be done little by little, since the awkward
movement wearied her, moreover, her swollen arms chafing against the
marble of the column became intolerably sore. Yet, although the pain
made her weep, from time to time she persevered. But night fell before
the frayed cord parted.

In the mist also the Romans came near to the gate, notwithstanding the
risk, for they were very curious about her, and called to her asking
why she was bound there. She replied in the Latin language, which was
understood by very few of the Jews, that it was because she had rescued
a Roman from death. Before they could speak again those who questioned
her were driven back by a shower of arrows discharged from the wall, but
in the distance she thought that she saw one of them make report to an
officer, who on receipt of it seemed to give some orders.

Meanwhile, also under cover of the mist, the Jews were preparing
themselves for battle. To the number of over four thousand men they
gathered silently in the Court of Israel. Then of a sudden the gates
were thrown open, and among them that of Nicanor. The trumpets blew a
signal and out they poured into the Court of Women, driving in the Roman
guards and outposts as sticks and straws are driven by a sudden flood.
But the legionaries beyond were warned, and locking their shields
together stood firm, so that the Jews fell back from their iron line as
such a flood falls from an opposing rock. Yet they would not retreat,
but fought furiously, killing many of the Romans, until at length Titus
charged on them at the head of a squadron of horse and drove them back
headlong through the gates. Then the Romans came on and put t