looked out over the heads of a double row of soldiers. They were posted
close round the lower step of the platform that raised the hypostyle
above the nave and the colonnades on each side of it.

In the distance Gorgo could see a vast body of men slowly approaching in
detachments, and with long pauses at intervals. They stopped for some
time in the outer hall, and before they entered the basilica twenty
Christian priests came in with strange gestures and a still stranger
chant; these were exorcists, come to bann the evil spirits and daemons
that must surely haunt this high place of idolatry and abominations.
They carried crosses which they flourished like weapons against an unseen
foe, and touched the columns with them, the pavement and the few
remaining statues; they fell on their knees, making the sign of the cross
with the left hand; and, finally, they ranged themselves like soldiers in
three ranks in front of the niche containing the statue, pointed their
crosses at the god, and recited in loud, angry, and commanding tones the
potent anathemas and mysterious formulas which they thought calculated to
expel the most reprobate and obdurate of all the heathen devils. A host
of acolytes, following at their heels, swung their censers about the
plague-spot--the shrine of the king of idols; while the exorcists dipped
wands into a cauldron carried by their attendants, and sprinkled the
mystical figures on the hanging and on the mosaic pavement.

All this occupied several minutes. Then--and Gorgo's heart beat high--
then Constantine came in, armed and equipped, and behind him an Ala of
picked men, the elite of his troop; bearded men with tanned and scarred
faces. Instead of swords they carried axes, and they were followed by
sappers bearing tall ladders which, by Constantine's orders, they leaned
up against the niche. The infantry ranged under the colonnades at the
sides were evidently startled at the sight of these ladders, and Gorgo