continue to strive--"

Up to this moment the bishop had devoted his whole attention to the sick
anchorite, but he was now called on all sides at once, and Gelasius, who
was standing by the declivity with some other anchorites, called out to
him, "Father--save us--the heathen there are climbing up the rocks."

Agapitus signed a blessing over Stephanus and then turned away from him,
saying earnestly once more, "Forgive, and heaven is open to you."

Many wounded and dead lay on the plain, and the Pharanites were
retreating into the ravine, for the Blemmyes had not indeed fled, but
had only dispersed themselves, and then had climbed up the rocks which
hemmed in the level ground and shot their arrows at their enemies from
thence.

"Where are the Romans?" Agapitus eagerly enquired of Orion.

"They are withdrawing into the gorge through which the road leads up
here," answered the Saite. "But look! only look at these heathen! The
Lord be merciful to us! they are climbing up the 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, "