It issued from the cloister at the northwest which joined the Roman tower.

As they watched, they saw that vapor grow into a pale but intensely luminous smoke, as if fine woods and burning metals were consumed together.

In a moment the whole north-west section was embraced in a sublime pall of fire.
John was burning away the connection between the Temple and the tower and was making the sacred edifice four-square.
As soon as it became confirmed, in the minds of the watchers in the Roman camp, that the Temple had been fired, the old mute among them seemed to become wholly unbalanced.

Without warning, he leaped upon the nearest sentry who, not expecting the attack, went down with a clatter of armor and a shout of astonishment.

The next instant the old man was making across the intervening space between the camp and Jerusalem as fast as his stiff legs could carry him.
The purple sentry sprang to his feet and strung an arrow, but before he could send it singing, the old minotaur was mixed with a second soldier in such confusion that the first sentry hesitated to shoot lest he should kill his fellow.