Eightgatesofstonetherewerecuttingthepathway，eachcommandingastraight，steeppieceoftheascent，andoverhangingeachgatewasagallerysecurefromarrow—shot，yetsocontrivedthatgreatstonescouldbehurledthroughholesinthefloorofit，insuchamannerthattheymustirretrievablysmashtoapulpanymenadvancingagainstitfrombelow。Andincavesdugoutfromtherockoneitherhandwasagreathoardofthesestones，sothatnoenemythroughsheerexpenditureoftroopscouldhopetostormagatebyexhaustingitsammunition。
Butthoughtherewereeightofthesegranitegatesintheseries，wehadthewholenumbertodependonnolonger。ThelowestgatewasheldbyagarrisonofPhorenice’stroops，whohadbuiltawallabovethemtoprotecttheiroccupation。Thegatehadbeengainedbynobrilliantfeatofarms——ithadbeenwonbythreats，bribery，andpromises;or，inotherwords，ithadbeengivenupbytheblackesttreachery。
Andherelaythekeynoteoftheweaknessinourdefence。Themostperfectrampartsthatbraincaninventareuselesswithoutmentolinethem，anditwasmenwelacked。OfstudentsenteringintothecollegesoftheSacredMountain，therehadbeennonenowformanyayear。TheyoungergenerationthoughtlittleoftheolderGods。Ofthementhathadgrownupamongstthesacredgroves，andfilledofficesthere，manyhadbecomelukewarmintheirfaithandremainedononlythroughhabit，andbecauseaneasylivingstayednearthemthere;andthese，whenthesiegebegan，quicklymadetheirwayovertotheotherside。
Phorenicewasnofooltofightagainstunnecessarystrength。
Herheraldsmadeproclamationthatpeaceandagoodsubsistencewouldbegiventothosewhochosetocomeouttoherwillingly;andasanalternativeshewouldkillbytortureandmutilationthoseshecaughtintheplacewhenshetookitbystorm，asshemostassuredlywoulddobeforeshehadfinishedwithit。Andsogreatwastheprestigeofhername，thatquiteone—halfofthesethatremainedonthemountaintookthemselvesawayfromthedefence。