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[49]
So Vespasian encouraged his army by this speech; but for the people
of Gamala, it happened that they took courage for a little while, upon
such great and unaccountable success as they had had. But when they considered
with themselves that they had now no hopes of any terms of accommodation,
and reflecting upon it that they could not get away, and that their provisions
began already to be short, they were exceedingly cast down, and their courage
failed them; yet did they not neglect what might be for their preservation,
so far as they were able, but the most courageous among them guarded those
parts of the wall that were beaten down, while the more infirm did the
same to the rest of the wall that still remained round the city. And as
the Romans raised their banks, and attempted to get into the city a second
time, a great many of them fled out of the city through impracticable valleys,
where no guards were placed, as also through subterraneous caverns; while
those that were afraid of being caught, and for that reason staid in the
city, perished for want of food; for what food they had was brought together
from all quarters, and reserved for the fighting men.
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