Allthewoodworkandmetalworkwascut，andtongued，andforged，andfittedfirstbyskilledcraftsmenbelow，intheplainatthefootofthecleft;andwheneachponderousbalkandeachcrosspiece，andeachplankwasdraggedupthesteeppassthroughtheconqueredgates，itwasreadyinstantlyforfittingintoitsappointedplaceinthecompletedmachine。
Thecleftwasstraightwheretheysetabouttheirbuilding，andtherewasnocurveorspuroftheclifftohidetheirhandiworkfromthoseofthePriestswhowatchedfromtherampartsaboveouroneremaininggate。ButPhorenicehadacoynesslestherengineshouldbeseenbeforeitwascompleted，andsotoscreenitshehadavastfirebuiltattheuppermostpointwherethecausewaywasbrokenoff，andfeddiligentlywithwetsedgeandgreenwood，sothatagreatsmokepouredout，risinglikeacurtainthatshutoutallview。AndsothoughthePriestsontherampartabovethegatepickedoffnowandagainsomeofthosewhotendedthefire，theycoulddothebesiegersnofurtherinjury，andremaineduptothelastquiteinignoranceoftheirtactics。
Thepassageupthecleftwasinshadowduringthenighthours，for，thoughallthecrestoftheSacredMountainwasalwayslitbrightlybytheeternalfireswhichmadeitsdefenceonthefartherside，theirglowthrewnogleamdownthatflankwherethecliffransheertotheplainsbeneath。AndsoitwasundercoverofthedarknessthatPhorenicebroughtupherengineintopositionforattack。
Plankinghadbeenlaiddownforitswheels，andthewheelsthemselveswellgreased，anditmaybethatshehopedtomarchinuponuswhilstallslept。Buttherewasacertaincreakingandgroaningoftimbers，andlabouredpantingofmen，whichgaveadvertisementthatsomethingwasbeingattempted，andthealarmwasspreadquietlyinthehopethatifasurprisehadbeenplanned，therealsurprisemightbeturnedtheotherway。
Amessengercametomerunning，whereIsatinthehouseatthesideofmylove，andshe，likethesoldier’swifeshewasmadetobe，kissedmeandbademegoquicklyandcareformyhonour，andbringbackmywoundsforhertomend。