Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/147

 appear in Zion before God. Go ye into the mountains with your wives and your little ones; for ye are not priests; but for me,—I have chosen my lot.”

So saying, he returned upon his steps gladly. As the wayfarers proceeded, they met many who would have persuaded them to return, saying, that in the holy city alone was there a sure refuge. But the Christians answered in the words of the Holy One, and passed on.

If they had ever doubted those words, they would now have found them true. There were rumours in all the land of new prophets who rose up to delude the people; there were divisions also among the leaders, and a slaughter of Hebrews by the hands of Hebrews. Messengers, whom the Christians sent forth from their abode in the mountains, brought tidings of greater woe day by day. They told how the Romans had digged a trench, and compassed the walls of the city, so that none could pass to and fro to bear food.

There was also a great drought, and a cry for water arose out of the streets; for the days were past when the young men and