Watching him, Miriam grew aware that he was cutting his way towards some point, and that the point was Marcus.
This Marcus seemed to know; at least, he also strove to cut his way towards Caleb.

Nearer and nearer they came, till at length they met and began to rain blows upon each other; but not for long, for just then a charge of some Roman horsemen separated them.

After this both parties retired to their lines, taking their wounded with them.
Thus, with pauses, sometimes of two or three hours, the fight went on from morning to noon, and from noon to sunset.

During the latter part of the time the Romans made no more attacks, but were contented with defending themselves while they awaited reinforcements from without the city, or perhaps the results of some counter-attack in another part.
Thus the advantage rested, or seemed to rest, with the Jews, who held all the ruined houses and swept the open space with their arrows.

Now it was that Nehushta's fears were justified, for having a little leisure the Jews took a beam of wood and battered in the walled-up doorway of the tower.
"Look!" said Nehushta, pointing down.
"Oh, Nou!" Miriam answered, "I was wrong.