cliffs like woodpeckers
up a tree."

"The stones, fly to the stones!" cried Agapitus with flashing eyes to the
anchorites that stood by. "What is going on behind the wall there? Do you
hear? Yes that is the Roman tuba. Courage, brethren! the emperor's
soldiers are guarding the weakest side of the castle. But look here at
the naked figures in the cleft. Bring the blocks here; set your shoulders
stoutly to it, Orion! one more push, Salathiel! There it goes, it crashes
down if only it does not stick in the rift! No! thank God, it has bounded
off-that was a leap! Well done--there were six enemies of the Lord
destroyed at once."

"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 castl