“I see three more yonder,” cried Orion.  “Come here, Damianus, and help me.”

The man he called rushed forward with several others, and the first success raised the courage of the anchorites so rapidly and wonderfully that the bishop soon found it difficult to restrain their zeal, and to persuade them to be sparing with the precious missiles.

While, under the direction of Agapitus stone after stone was hurled clattering over the steep precipice down upon the Blemmyes, Paulus sat by the sick man, looking at the ground.

“You are not helping them?” asked Stephanus.  “Agapitus is right,” replied the Alexandrian.  “I have much to expiate, and fighting brings enjoyment.  How great enjoyment I can understand by the torture it is to me to sit still.  The bishop blessed you affectionately.”

“I am near the goal,” sighed Stephanus, “and he promises me the joys of heaven if I only forgive him who stole my wife from me.  He is forgiven-yes, all is forgiven him, and may everything that he undertakes turn to good; yea, and nothing turn to evil—­only feel how my heart throbs, it is rallying its strength once more before it utterly ceases to beat.  When it is all over repeat to Hermas everything that I have told you, and bless him a thousand, thousand times in my name and his mother’s; but never, never tell him that in an hour of weakness she ran away with that villain—­that man, that miserable man I mean—­whom I forgive.  Give Hermas this ring, and with it the letter that you will find under the dry herbs on the couch in my cave; they will secure him a reception from his uncle, who will also procure him a place in the army, for my brother is in high favor with Caesar.  Only listen how Agapitus urges on our men; they are fighting bravely there; that is the Roman tuba.  Attend to me—­ the maniple will occupy the castle and shoot down on the heathen from hence; when they come carry me into the tower.  I am weak and would fain collect my thoughts, and pray once more that I may find strength to forgive the man not with my lips only.”

Down there see—­there come the Romans,” cried Paulus interrupting him.  “Here, up here!” he called down to the men, “The steps are more to the left.”

“Here we are,” answered a sharp voice.  “You stay there, you people, on that projection of rock, and keep your eye on the castle.  If any danger threatens call me with the trumpet.  I will climb up, and from the top of the tower there I can see where the dogs come from.”

During this speech Stephanus had looked down and listened; when a few minutes later the Gaul reached the wall and called out to the men inside, “Is there no one there who will give me a hand?” he turned to Paulus, saying, “Lift me up and support me—­quick!”

With an agility that astonished the Alexandrian, Stephanus stood upon his feet, leaned over the wall towards the centurion—­who had climbed as far as the outer foot of it, looked him in the face with eager attention, shuddered violently, and repressing his feelings with the utmost effort offered him his lean hand to help him.