



Produced by Al Haines





HEBREW HEROES:


A TALE

FOUNDED ON JEWISH HISTORY.


By

A. L. O. E.,


_Author of "The Triumph over Midian," "Rescued from Egypt,"
  "Exiles in Babylon," &c. &c._



[Transcriber's note: "A. L. O. E." is the pseudonym of Charlotte Maria
Tucker, and is the abbreviation of "A Lady of England".]




LONDON:

T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW;

EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.

1870.




Preface


There are few portions of the world's history which, to my own mind,
afford subjects of such thrilling interest as that which I have
selected for the groundwork of the following story.  I have tried, in
the main, to adhere closely to facts, though I have ventured somewhat
to compress the length of time which actually elapsed between the
rising against Syrian tyranny at Modin, and the restoration of the
Temple.  I may also have been inaccurate in representing Antiochus
Epiphanes as being still in Jerusalem at the period when the battle of
Emmaus took place.  Such trifling deviations from history seem to me,
however, by no means to interfere with that fidelity to its grand
outlines which an author should conscientiously observe.  No historical
character has been wilfully misrepresented in these pages.  If I have
ventured to paint one of the noblest of Judah's heroes with the
feelings and weaknesses common to man, I trust that even his most
enthusiastic Hebrew admirer will not deem that they lower his dignity
as commander, or patriot prince.

The exploits of Judas Maccabeus might seem to be a theme more befitting
the pen of one of his own race than mine; yet would I fain hope that a
work which it has been a labour of love to a Christian to write, may
not be altogether despised even by the descendants of Hebrew heroes who
shared the Asmonean's toils and triumphs in the land for which he
conquered and died.


A. L. O. E.




Contents


       I.  FAITHFUL TO THE DEATH.
      II.  THE MIDNIGHT BURIAL.
     III.  LIFE OR DEATH.
      IV.  FOLLOWING BEHIND.
       V.  THE DREAM.
      VI.  THE JOURNEY HOME.
     VII.  THE FIRST STRUGGLE.
    VIII.  HADASSAH'S QUEST.
      IX.  DEATH OF MATTATHIAS.
       X.  CONCEALMENT.
      XI.  DEEP THINGS.
     XII.  TRIALS OF THE HEART.
    XIII.  SILENT CONFLICT.
     XIV.  A CRISIS.
      XV.  THE TWO CAMPS.
     XVI.  BATTLE OF EMMAUS.
    XVII.  DEPARTED.
   XVIII.  THE PASSOVER FEAST.
     XIX.  A PRISON.
      XX.  THE COURT OF ANTIOCHUS.
     XXI.  THE MAIDEN'S TRIAL.
    XXII.  A BREATHING SPACE.
   XXIII.  FOUND AT LAST.
    XXIV.  DECISION.
     XXV.  A RETROSPECT.
    XXVI.  WEARY WANDERINGS.
   XXVII.  FLIGHT.
  XXVIII.  UNITED IN THE GRAVE.
    XXIX.  THE MOURNER'S HOME.
     XXX.  CHANGES.
    XXXI.  NIGHT TRAVELLING.
   XXXII.  FRIENDS OR FOES?
  XXXIII.  THE LEADER AND THE MAN.
   XXXIV.  FANATICISM.
    XXXV.  THE BATTLE-PRAYER.
   XXXVI.  BETHSURA.
  XXXVII.  AFTER THE BATTLE.
 XXXVIII.  THE VICTOR'S RETURN.
   XXXIX.  THE FEAST OF DEDICATION.




HEBREW HEROES.


CHAPTER I.

FAITHFUL TO THE DEATH.

The sun was setting gloriously over the hills which encompass
Jerusalem, pouring its streams of golden light on the valleys clothed
with the vine, pomegranate, and olive, sparkling on the brook Kedron,
casting a rich glow on flat-roofed dwellings, parapets, and walls, and
throwing into bold relief from the crimson sky the pinnacles of the
Temple, which, at the period of which I write, crowned the height of
Mount Zion.  Not the gorgeous Temple which Solomon had raised, that had
long ago been given to the flames, nor yet the Temple as adorned by
King Herod: the building before us stands in its simple majesty as
erected by the Hebrews after their return from Babylon under the
leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua.  Not the might of the powerful,
nor the gold of the wealthy, but the earnest zeal of a people
down-trodden and oppressed had built that Temple; and its highest
adornment was the promise which Haggai's inspired lips had uttered:
_The Desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with
glory, saith the Lord of hosts_ (Hag.