Chapter 15
The Ambush

The leading elephants bellowed and stopped suddenly, sending soldiers flying over their heads.

Devorah could hear the pinging of small rocks. Elephants lumbered around in confusion as the rocks rained down on them from the steep canyon walls. Devorah squinted through the dust. Small figures dotted the walls . . . the Maccabees were fighting back!

The soldiers sought cover from the pelting rocks while trying to avoid the stampeding elephants. The air filled with angry shouts and loud trumpeting. Spears flew through the air, but this time they came from the other end of the canyon. The Maccabees marched toward the soldiers. Many of the soldiers fled through the canyon back toward their camp.

“Cowards!” cried their commander. “Stand and fight!”

“Not today,” shouted a soldier as he passed. “These Maccabees fight with a mighty power helping them. We cannot fight their God.”

The commander shook with anger. He turned and saw Devorah and her brother huddled against the canyon wall. He raised his spear, an evil smile on his face. “At least I will have one victory this day!”

“Devorah, do something!” screamed her brother.

“The dreidel!” Devorah suddenly remembered, reaching into her pocket. Her hand closed on the small top, which she had found and placed in her pocket when Benjamin was captured.

The commander threw his spear, but it clattered harmlessly against the rocks.

Devroah quickly knelt and spun the dreidel. Everything whirled around Devorah and Benjamin, whisking the children out of danger. The top spun faster and faster, then slowed, and stopped—just like that.

The Hebrew letter, Hey, was face up.