550 
CAVES OF GALILEE 
certain machines to be made, something in the form of chests, 
and then hung down by means of chains and an engine from the 
top of the mountain, to nearly opposite the caves. It having 
been impracticable for his men to descend to them from 
above, or to scramble up to them from below, some device of 
this kind was the only probable way of breasting the difficulty; 
and into these machines soldiers were posted, well armed, and 
with long hooked weapons in their hands, by which they might 
pull the robbers from their caves, and tumble all down the preci¬ 
pice who resisted them. And when the chests were slung over, 
which was a very arduous task, from the great depth of the 
mountain, they were also provisioned for the use of those who 
mi edit have to abide in them till the whole nest of robbers were 
O 
destroyed. The banditti within were so alarmed at this new 
species of siege, that not one of them durst venture to the 
mouths of their fastnesses, which stimulated their assailants 
to enter, and begin the fray. Accordingly, some few ma¬ 
naged to pass from the machines into the caves, and a con¬ 
flict ensuing, drew the inhabitants to the mouths, and then the 
fight became general between the machines and the mountain. 
The carnage on the side of the robbers, appears to have been 
tremendous, the king’s soldiers killing many in the caverns, and 
dragging others out with their hooks, dashed them down the 
rocks. When night came, they ceased ; but lay still in their 
chests, till the return of day should give them light to finish the 
work of slaughter. Meanwhile, the deepest lamentations sounded 
within the caves, from the women and children, on account of 
the slain, and in utter despair of any chance of escape. The 
same method of assault was used as soon as morning broke; and 
fire, besides, thrown into the mouths of the caverns, to set the 
