But a hedge pressed too close upon the space he must pass, between it and the enemy, before he could return to his men.

An ax glanced beside his ear; he wavered in his saddle.

Then, that happened which a Roman of that day could not be forced to do and forget.
Titus wheeled his horse and, plunging his spurs into its sides, fled on into the open country to the north, with the jeers of the men of Simon and John following him.
His troops rushed down upon his assailants.

But the wary soldiers turned when the Roman had fled and the Gate of the Women's Towers closed upon them.
Up from the visitors within the wall rose a shout: "A sign, a sign! An omen! Thus shall the children of God overthrow the heathen in battle!" But one of the Jews on the wall thrust his fingers under his turban and seized his hair.
"Jerusalem is fallen! Woe! Woe to the wicked city!" He turned in his place and leaped a good twenty feet to the ground.
When he raised himself the look of a maniac had settled on his face.
Tearing his garments from him as he went, he entered a narrow street that made its ascent toward Zion by steps and cobbled slants.

Here he came upon great crowds of terror-stricken citizens who had rushed together as the news spread abroad over Jerusalem that the men of Simon and John had gone out against the Deliverer.