“Many years,” answered Hermas.  “But I do not know how many—­and it is all one.  No one enquires about time up here among us.”

The senator stood still a moment and measured his companion with a glance.

“You have been with your father ever since he came?” he asked.

“He never lets me out of his sight;” replied Hermas.  “I have been only twice into the oasis, even to go to the church.”

“Then you have been to no school?”

“To what school should I go!  My father has taught me to read the Gospels and I could write, but I have nearly forgotten how.  Of what use would it be to me?  We live like praying beasts.”

Deep bitterness sounded in the last words, and Petrus could see into the troubled spirit of his companion, overflowing as it was with weary disgust, and he perceived how the active powers of youth revolted in aversion against the slothful waste of life, to which he was condemned.  He was grieved for the boy, and he was not one of those who pass by those in peril without helping them.  Then he thought of his own sons, who had grown up in the exercise and fulfilment of serious duties, and he owned to himself that the fine young fellow by his side was in no way their inferior, and needed nothing but to be guided aright.  He thoughtfully looked first at the youth and then on the ground, and muttered unintelligible words into his grey beard as they walked on.  Suddenly he drew himself up and nodded decisively; he would make an attempt to save Hermas, and faithful to his own nature, action trod on the heels of resolve.  Where the little level ended the road divided, one path continued to lead upwards, the other deviated to the valley and ended at the quarries.  Petrus was for taking the latter, but Hermas cried out, “That is not the way to our cave; you must follow me.”

“Follow thou me!” replied the senator, and the words were spoken with a tone and expression, that left no doubt in the youth’s mind as to their double meaning.  “The day is yet before us, and we will see what my laborers are doing.  Do you know the spot where they quarry the stone?”

“How should I not know it?” said Hermas, passing the senator to lead the way.  “I know every path from our mountain to the oasis, and to the sea.  A panther had its lair in the ravine behind your quarries.”

“So we have learnt,” said Petrus.  “The thievish beasts have slaughtered two young camels, and the people can neither catch them in their toils nor run them down with dogs.”

“They will leave you in peace now,” said the boy laughing.  “I brought down the male from the rock up there with an arrow, and I found the mother in a hollow with her young ones.  I had a harder job with her; my knife is so bad, and the copper blade bent with the blow; I had to strangle the gaudy devil with my hands, and she tore my shoulder and bit my arm.  Look! there are the scars.  But thank God, my wounds heal quicker than my father’s.