-if you are fool
enough to appear at the tribune. If you will take my advice' you will
knock down these fellows right and left, and run for your life.' And
Orestes drove on.

Philammon saw that it was his only chance, and did so; and in another
minute he found himself rushing headlong into the archway of Pelagia's
house, with a dozen monks at his heels. As luck would have it, the outer
gates, at which the Goths had just entered, were still open; but the
inner ones which led into the court beyond were fast. He tried them,
but in vain. There was an open door in the wall on his right: he rushed
through it, into a long range of stables, and into the arms of Wulf and
Smid, who were unsaddling and feeding, like true warriors, their own
horses.

'Souls of my fathers!' shouted Smid, 'here's our young monk come back!
What brings you here head over heels in this way, young curly-pate?'

'Save me from those wretches!' pointing to the monks, who were peeping
into the doorway.

Wulf seemed to understand it all in a moment; for, snatching up a heavy
whip, he rushed at the foe, and with a few tremendous strokes cleared
the doorway, and shut-to the door.

Philammon was going to explain and thank, but Smid stopped his mouth.

'Never mind, young one, you are our guest now. Come in, and you shall be
as welcome as ever. See what comes of running away from us at first.'

'You do not seem to have benefited much by leaving me for the monks,'
said old Wulf. 'Come in by the inner door. Smid! go and turn those monks
out of the gateway.'

But the mob, after battering the door for a few minutes, had yielded
to the agonised entreaties of Peter, who assured them that if those
incarnate fiends once broke out upon them, they would not leave a
Christian alive in Alexandria. So it was agreed to leave a few to watch
for Philammon's coming out; and the rest, balked of their prey, turned
the tide of their wrath against the Prefect, and rejoined the mass
of their party, who were still hanging round his chariot, ready for
mischief.

In vain the hapless shepherd of the people attempted to drive on. The
apparitors were frightened and hung back; and without their help it
was impossible to force the horses through the mass of tossing arms and
beards in front. The matter was evidently growing serious.

'The bitterest ruffians in all Nitria, your Excellency,' whispered one
of the guards, with a pale face; 'and two hundred of them at the least.
The ver