Daughter of Deliverance by Gilbert Morris Page B

those walls?”
    â€œThere are ways,” Ardon said grimly. His nerves were on edge, for there were patrols out. They had already encountered one of them, and there had to be others. Jericho was on its guard! “I’ve heard there are ways to knock down walls. Soldiers build platforms with roofs on them and shove them up against the walls. The roofs protect them from the enemy’s arrows raining down from the top of the wall.”
    â€œBut we don’t know how to do that. Nobody in the whole camp does.”
    â€œGod will help us find a way.”
    Othniel studied the wall despairingly. “That wall is at least wide enough for two chariots to go around side by side. I saw one only a moment ago. It so big there are houses built on it, Ardon.”
    â€œI see that, Othniel, but you may as well be quiet.”
    Othniel fell silent. The two hid in a stand of scrubby trees and watched as the sun continued to rise. After several hours Othniel could stand it no longer. “How are we supposed to judge the army and what it’s like? They’re on the inside and we’re on the outside. All we’ll ever see out here are small patrols.”
    â€œI know it. We’ve got to get in there.”
    â€œThere must be a way.”
    They planned to wait until darkness before making an attempt to enter, but as the afternoon crept by, they decided to do some scouting. “Let’s circle the wall,” Ardon said. “Surely there is a gate, some way to get through the walls.”
    Circling the city of Jericho turned out to be a difficult task. It was a large city and there was little cover. They dared not move out in the open for long, because they were close enough that watchmen on the wall could spot them. They had to dart behind boulders, shrubs, and stunted trees to hide. It was tiring, dirty work, and their water was soon gone. When they came to a creek, Ardon said, “We’d better fill up our water flasks here.”
    As the two filled their flasks, Othniel said, “You know, this creek runs right through the city.”
    Ardon blinked with surprise. “You’re right. It does. It goes right to the wall.”
    â€œWe could go into the city through that opening, couldn’t we?”
    Ardon considered this for a moment, then nodded. “I haven’t seen any other place we can try. What we’ll have to do—”
    A voice cried out, “You two stay right where you are!”
    The two leaped to their feet and saw four soldiers headed straight for them. They had appeared out of a clump of stunted trees “It’s too late to run.” Ardon said. “We’ll have to fight them.” He cast a quick glance at Othniel. “Draw your sword and do your best.”
    â€œThrow down your weapons!” The guard was a burly man, short and thick-armed, and he wore a brass helmet that glittered in the sun. His lips turned up in a cruel smile. “Where are you two from?”
    â€œWe’re just passing through,” Ardon said. His eyes studied the four as he calculated their odds. He wished fervently he had brought a real soldier with him instead of Othniel.
    â€œPut your weapons down. You’re coming with us. We have questioners here who will know how to get an answer from you.”
    Instead of throwing down his sword, Ardon swiftly drew his weapon and charged straight into the four. “Kill them, Othniel!” he shouted.
    Othniel drew his own weapon. He had been almost paralyzed with fear, but as he saw Ardon tear into the leader, he forced himself forward. He was yelling as loudly as he could and found himself engaged in a hard-fought battle with one of the guards.
    The battle did not last long. Othniel managed to kill one of the men while Ardon swiftly killed the leader with one blow and easily dealt with the other two, and then there was silence.
    The Israelite men stood breathing hard. Othniel looked down at the dead man at