Bearing down upon them from the west came a stampede of Roman cavalry scouting.

The sunshine on their brass armor transformed them into shapes of gold, and the recklessness of their advance swept the pilgrims out of their path as far as could be seen.
Right and left the Jews scattered; some ran into the hills and hid themselves; others merely stepped aside and with darkening faces waited defiantly for the approach of the oppressor.

The young shepherd full of excitement sprang to his feet.
Neither the fleeing Jews nor the Jews that had stood their ground attracted the attention of the approaching legionaries.

It was the close-packed, avid-feeding sheep, deep in the grass, that won their instant and enthusiastic notice.

The decurion in charge of the squad brought up his gray horse with such suddenness that the animal's feet slid in the gravel.
"Sheep, by the wings of Mercury!" he shouted.