in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet.
And decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls.
For in one hour so great riches is come to naught!
And every shipmaster, and the company in ships,
And sailors and traders by sea,
Shall cry when they see the smoke of her burning,
Standing afar off for fear of her torment.
'What city is like unto that great city!'
And casting dust on their head they shall cry,
Weeping and wailing,
Alas, alas, that great city,
Wherein were made rich all that had ships at sea,
For in one hour is she brought to naught.
Rejoice over her thou heaven!
And ye holy apostles and prophets,
For God hath avenged you on her!"

A vast crowd collected around him in amazement, but scarcely had he
ceased when some soldiers appeared and led him away.

"Doubtless it is some poor Christian whose brain has been turned by
suffering," thought Marcellus. As the man was led away he still shouted
out his terrific denunciations, and a great crowd followed, yelling and
deriding. Soon the noise died away in the distance.

"There is no time to lose. I must go," said Marcellus; and he turned away.

CHAPTER VIII.

LIFE IN THE CATACOMBS.

"O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon.
Irrevocably dark, total eclipse,
Without all hope of day!"

Upon his return to the Catacombs he was welcomed with tears of joy. Most
eagerly they listened to the account of his interview with his
superiors; and while they sympathized with his troubles, they rejoiced
that he had been found worthy to suffer for Christ.

Amid these new scenes he learned more of the truth every day, and saw
what its followers endured. Life in the Catacombs opened around him with
all its wondrous variety.

The vast numbers who dwelt below were supplied with provisions by
constant communication with the city above. This was done at night. The
most resolute and daring of the men volunteered for this dangerous task.
Sometimes also women, and even boys, went forth upon this errand, and
the lad Pollio was the most acute and successful of all these. Amid the
vast population of Rome it was not difficult to pass unnoticed, and
consequently the supply was well kept up. Yet sometimes the journey met
with a fatal termination, and the bold adventurers never returned.

Of water there was a plentiful supply in the passage ways of the
lowermost tier. Wells and fountains here supplied suffici