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