Then a light click of a hoof attracted their attention to the bridle-path immediately under the overhanging battlements.
There a solitary horseman rode.

Not a scale of armor was upon his horse; not a weapon, not even a shield depended from his harness.

His head was uncovered and a sheeny purple fillet showed in the tumbled, dusty black hair.

There was no guard on the hand that held the bridle; the cloak that floated from his shoulders was white wool; the tunic was the simple light garment that soldiers usually wear under armor; the shoes alone were mailed.

It seemed that the young Roman had stripped off his helmet, breast-plate and greaves to ride less encumbered or to appear less warlike.
But the Jews who looked at him understood.