Tarichess were already built. I agreed to their proposal
accordingly; and when I had made preparation for the entire
building, I gave order to the architects to go to work; but on
the third day, when I was gone to Tarichess, which was thirty
furlongs distant from Tiberias, it so fell out, that some Roman
horsemen were discovered on their march, not far from the city,
which made it to be supposed that the forces were come from the
king; upon which they shouted, and lifted up their voices in
commendations of the king, and in reproaches against me. Hereupon
one came running to me, and told me what their dispositions were,
and that they had resolved to revolt from me: upon hearing which
news I was very much alarmed; for I had already sent away my
armed men from Tarichess, to their own homes, because the next
day was our sabbath; for I would not have the people of Tarichess
disturbed [on that day] by a multitude of soldiers; and indeed,
whenever I sojourned at that city, I never took any particular
care for a guard about my own body, because I had had frequent
instances of the fidelity its inhabitants bore to me. I had now
about me no more than seven armed men, besides some friends, and
was doubtful what to do; for to send to recall my own forces I
did not think proper, because the present day was almost over;
and had those forces been with me, I could not take up arms on
the next day, because our laws forbade us so to do, even though
our necessity should be very great; and if I should permit the
people of Tarichess, and the strangers with them, to guard the
city, I saw that they would not be sufficient for that purpose,
and I perceived that I should be obliged to delay my assistance a
great while; for I thought with myself that the forces that came
from the king would prevent me, and that I should be driven out
of the city. I considered, therefore, how to get clear of these