SIEGE OF GISCHALA. 87 anxious to make terms with the inhabitants of Gischala; for he was weary of so much bloodshed, and really pitied these men: so, finding them all assembled, he made a speech to them, and told them that he could not imagine what they could have to depend upon, when so many better fortified cities had been taken. He offered them a free pardon, if they would repent, and give over fighting. There were many in the city, who would gladly have made peace; but John and the disaffected kept possession of the walls, and would not let the quiet people shew their faces. John, however, came forward, and assured Titus that he himself would freely consent to his proposal, and he would persuade, or force, the citizens to do the same. But, with a great deal of cunning, he added, that Titus ought at least to allow them to keep holiday that day, which was their sabbath; for if Titus were really their friend, he would wish them to do what their laws and their religion taught them. Titus, thinking him sincere, consented to wait a day; and withdrew to a place called Cydessa, a short distance from the city but the truth was, that John was afraid, if the city were taken, he himself should be made a prisoner. : So when night came, and John saw that there was no Roman guard about the city, he took some armed men, and some of the citizens and their families, and fled to Jerusalem. He was in great haste, being terribly afraid of being made. a prisoner but was prevailed upon to let a number of women and children accompany him. When they were got about two miles from the city, his fears for his own safety became so strong, that he very inhumanly left the women and children behind; who, fancying that they were close to the enemy, set up a sad outcry, and fled back to the city in such disorder, that many lost their way, falling upon each other, and throwing each other down. Many called to their husbands and their sons, entreating them to return and help them; but John urged his companions to save themselves by flight, without caring for their poor forlorn wives and parents. When Titus came, the next day, according to agreement, the people opened their gates to him with great joy, and called him their benefactor. But Titus was much vexed when he found that John had escaped, and he sent a party of horsemen to pursue him; it was, however, too late, for he had reached Jerusalem. Titus was angry at JOHN'S ARRIVAL IN JERUSALEM. 89 being thus deceived; but was too generous to punish the innocent for the guilty. He entered the city, and ordered a small part of the wall to be broken down, as a sign that he had conquered it; and, after putting a garrison in the place, he was not a little pleased to think that the whole of Galilee was in the power of the Romans; though it had cost them much trouble to gain it. While the cities of Galilee were thus making a stand against the Roman armies, Jerusalem, instead of sending out men to their assistance, was a prey to a most disgraceful civil war. When John entered that city, he was instantly surrounded by thousands of people, crowding eagerly about him, and asking what new miseries had happened. As soon as he had recovered from the breathless state he was in, he and his companions began to talk boastingly, and to make the most of their misfortunes: they said, they had left Gischala, because it was a poor weak place, and not worth defending; and that they were come to defend the metropolis. The people, however, were not long in discovering the truth, that John had fled to save his own life; and the more sensible went quietly to their homes, lamenting the troubles of their unhappy country. But the idle and the restless |