Produced by Al Haines

HEBREW HEROES:

A TALE

FOUNDED ON JEWISH HISTORY.

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 haveselected for the groundwork of the following story. I have tried, inthe main, to adhere closely to facts, though I have ventured somewhatto compress the length of time which actually elapsed between therising against Syrian tyranny at Modin, and the restoration of theTemple. I may also have been inaccurate in representing AntiochusEpiphanes as being still in Jerusalem at the period when the battle ofEmmaus took place. Such trifling deviations from history seem to me,however, by no means to interfere with that fidelity to its grandoutlines which an author should conscientiously observe. No historicalcharacter has been wilfully misrepresented in these pages. If I haveventured to paint one of the noblest of Judah's heroes with thefeelings and weaknesses common to man, I trust that even his mostenthusiastic Hebrew admirer will not deem that they lower his dignityas commander, or patriot prince.

The exploits of Judas Maccabeus might seem to be a theme more befittingthe pen of one of his own race than mine; yet would I fain hope that awork which it has been a labour of love to a Christian to write, maynot be altogether despised even by the descendants of Hebrew heroes whoshared the Asmonean's toils and triumphs in the land for which heconquered 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 encompassJerusalem, pouring its streams of go

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