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gainst their coming out of the city。
12。 Now the besieged had plenty of corn within the city； and indeed of all necessaries； but they wanted water； because there was no fountain in the city； the people being there usually satisfied with rain water； yet is it a rare thing in that country to have rain in summer； and at this season； during the siege； they were in great distress for some contrivance to satisfy their thirst； and they were very sad at this time particularly； as if they were already in want of water entirely； for Josephus seeing that the city abounded with other necessaries； and that the men were of good courage； and being desirous to protract the siege to the Romans longer than they expected； ordered their drink to be given them by measure； but this scanty distribution of water by measure was deemed by them as a thing more hard upon them than the want of it； and their not being able to drink as much as they would made them more desirous of drinking than they otherwise had been； nay； they were as much disheartened hereby as if they were come to the last degree of thirst。 Nor were the Romans unacquainted with the state they were in； for when they stood over against them； beyond the wall； they could see them running together； and taking their water by measure； which made them throw their javelins thither the place being within their reach； and kill a great many of them。
13。 Hereupon Vespasian hoped that their receptacles of water would in no long time be emptied； and that they would be forced to deliver up the city to him； but Josephus being minded to break such his hope； gave command that they should wet a great many of their clothes； and hang them out about the battlements； till the entire wall was of a sudden all wet with the running down of the water。 At this sight the Romans were discouraged； and under consternation； when they saw them able to throw away in sport so much water； when they supposed them not to have enough to drink themselves。 This made the Roman general despair of taking the city by their want of necessaries； and to betake himself again to arms； and to try to force them to surrender； which was what the Jews greatly desired； for as they despaired of either themselves or their city being able to escape； they preferred a death in battle before one by hunger and thirst。
14。 However； Josephus contrived another stratagem besides the foregoing； to get plenty of what they wanted。 There was a certain rough and uneven place that could hardly be ascended； and on that account was not guarded by the soldiers； so Josephus sent out certain persons along the western parts of the valley； and by them sent letters to whom he pleased of the Jews that were out of the city； and procured from them what necessaries soever they wanted in the city in abundance； he enjoined them also to creep generally along by the watch as they came into the city； and to cover their backs with such sheep…skins as had their wool upon them； that if any one should spy them out in the night time； they might be believed to be dogs。 This was done till the watch perceived their contrivance； and encompassed that rough place about themselves。
15。 And now it was that Josephus perceived that the city could not hold out long； and that his own life would be in doubt if he continued in it； so he consulted how he and the most potent men of the city might fly out of it。 When the multitude understood this； they came all round about him； and begged of him not to overlook them while they entirely depended on him； and him alone； for that there was still hope of the city's deliverance； if he would stay with them； because every body would undertake any pains with great cheerfulness on his account； and in that case there would be some comfort for them also； though they should be taken： that it became him neither to fly from his enemies； nor to desert his friends； nor to leap out of that city； as out of a ship that was sinking in a storm； into which he came when it was quiet and in a calm； for that by going away he would be the cause of drowning the city； because nobody would then venture to oppose the enemy when he was once gone； upon whom they wholly confided。 16。 Hereupon Josephus avoided letting them know that he was to go away to provide for his own safety； but told them that he would go out of the city for their sakes； for that if he staid with them； he should be able to do them little good while they were in a safe condition； and that if they were once taken； he should only perish with them to no purpose； but that if he were once gotten free from this siege； he should be able to bring them very great relief； for that he would then immediately get the Galileans together； out of the country； in great multitudes； and draw the Romans off their city by another war。 That he did not see what advantge he could bring to them now； by staying among them； but only provoke the Romans to besiege them more closely； as esteeming it a most valuable thing to take him； but that if they were once informed that he was fled out of the city； they would greatly remit of their eagerness against it。 Yet did not this plea move the people； but inflamed them the more to hang about him。 Accordingly； both the children and the old men； and the women with their infants； came mourning to him； and fell down before him； and all of them caught hold of his feet； and held him fast； and besought him； with great lamentations； that he would take his share with them in their fortune； and I think they did this； not that they envied his deliverance； but that they hoped for their own； for they could not think they should suffer any great misfortune； provided Josephus would but stay with them。
17。 Now Josephus thought； that if he resolved to stay； it would be ascribed to their entreaties； and if he resolved to go away by force； he should be put into custody。 His commiseration also of the people under their lamentations had much broken that his eagerness to leave them； so he resolved to stay； and arming himself with the common despair of the citizens； he said to them； 〃Now is the time to begin to fight in earnest； when there is no hope of deliverance left。 It is a brave thing to prefer glory before life； and to set about some such noble undertaking as may be remembered by late posterity。〃 Having said this； he fell to work immediately； and made a sally； and dispersed the enemies' out…guards； and ran as far as the Roman camp itself； and pulled the coverings of their tents to pieces； that were upon their banks； and set fire to their works。 And this was the manner in which he never left off fighting； neither the next day； nor the day after it； but went on with it for a considerable number of both days and nights。
18。 Upon this； Vespasian； when he saw the Romans distressed by these sallies； （though they were ashamed to be made to run away by the Jews； and when at any time they made the Jews run away； their heavy armor would not let them pursue them far； while the Jews； when they had performed any action； and before they could be hurt themselves； still retired into the city；） ordered his armed men to avoid their onset； and not fight it out with men under desperation； while nothing is more courag