that day. They were fearfully
mangled; some indeed were scarcely distinguishable as human beings.
After a long search they found the two whom they sought. Their bodies
were then placed in large sacks, in which they prepared to carry them
away. Marcellus looked in upon the scene. All around him rose the
massive walls, ascending by many terraces back to the outer circle. Its
black form seemed to shut him in with a barrier which he could not pass.

"How long will it be," he thought, "before I too shall take my place
here and lay down my life for my Saviour? When that time comes shall I
be true? Lord Jesus, in that hour sustain me!"

The moon had not yet risen high enough to shine into the arena. Within
it was dark and forbidding. The search had been made with torches
obtained from the keepers.

At this moment Marcellus heard a deep voice from some of the vaults
behind them. Its tones rang out upon the night air with startling
distinctness, and were heard high above the rude clamor of the keepers:

"Now is come salvation and strength,
And the kingdom of our God,
And the power of his Christ;
For the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
Which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,
And by the word of his testimony,
And they loved not their lives unto the death."

"Who is that?" said Marcellus.

"Do not notice him," said his companion. "It is Brother Cinna. His
griefs have made him mad. His only son was burned at the stake at the
beginning of the persecution, and since then he has gone about the city
denouncing woe. Hitherto they have let him alone; but now at last they
have seized him."

"And is he a prisoner here?"

"He is."

Again the voice of Cinna arose, fearfully, menacingly, and terribly,

"How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them
that dwell upon the earth?"

"This, then, is the man that I heard in the Capitol?"

"Yes. He has been all through the city, and even in the palace, uttering
his cry."

"Let us go."

They took their sacks and started for the gates. After a short delay
they were allowed to pass. As they went out they heard the voice of
Cinna in the distance:

"Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,
And is become the habitation of devils,
And the hold of every foul spirit,
And the cage of every unclean and hateful bird:
Come ye out of her, my people!"

N