[324]
And now being desirous to catch Simon by a wile, and Joazar with
him, I sent a message to them, and desired them to come a little way out
of the city, and many of their friends to guard them; for I said I would
come down to them, and make a league with them, and divide the government
of Galilee with them. Accordingly, Simon was deluded on account of his
imprudence, and out of the hopes of gain, and did not delay to come; but
Joazar, suspecting snares were laid for him, staid behind. So when Simon
was come out, and his friends with him, for his guard, I met him, and saluted
him with great civility, and professed that I was obliged to him for his
coming up to me; but a little while afterward I walked along with him as
though I would say something to him by myself; and when I had drawn him
a good way from his friends, I took him about the middle, and gave him
to my friends that were with me, to carry him into a village; and, commanding
my armed men to come down, I with them made an assault upon Tiberias. Now,
as the fight grew hot on both sides, and the soldiers belonging to Tiberias
were in a fair way to conquer me, (for my armed men were already fled away,)
I saw the posture of my affairs; and encouraging those that were with me,
I pursued those of Tiberias, even when they were already conquerors, into
the city. I also sent another band of soldiers into the city by the lake,
and gave them orders to set on fire the first house they could seize upon.
When this was done, the people of Tiberinas thought that their city was
taken by force, and so threw down their arms for fear, and implored, they,
their wives, and children, that I would spare their city. So I was over-persuaded
by their entreaties, and restrained the soldiers from the vehemency with
which they pursued them; while I myself, upon the coming on of the evening,
returned back with my soldiers, and went to refresh myself. I also invited
Simon to sup with me, and comforted him on occasion of what had happened;
and I promised that I would send him safe and secure to Jerusalem, and
withal would give him provisions for his journey thither.
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