back.

'Nay--come. Why shouldst thou break thy brethren's hearts and ours
by many leave-takings! Bring from the storehouse a week's provision
of dried dates and millet. The papyrus boat lies at the ferry; thou
shalt descend in it. The Lord will replace it for us when we need
it. Speak with no man on the river except the monks of God. When
thou hast gone five days' journey downward, ask for the mouth of the
canal of Alexandria. Once in the city, any monk will guide thee to
the archbishop. Send us news of thy welfare by some holy mouth.
Come.'

Silently they paced together down the glen to the lonely beach of
the great stream. Pambo was there already, his white hair
glittering in the rising moon, as with slow and feeble arms he
launched the light canoe. Philammon flung himself at the old men's
feet, and besought, with many tears, their forgiveness and their
blessing.'We have nothing to forgive. Follow thou thine inward call.
If it be of the flesh, it will avenge itself; if it be of the
Spirit, who are we that we should fight against God? Farewell.' A
few minutes more, and the youth and his canoe were lessening down
the rapid stream in the golden summer twilight. Again a minute, and
the swift southern night had fallen, and all was dark but the cold
glare of the moon on the river, and on the rock-faces, and on the
two old men, as they knelt upon the beach, and with their heads upon
each other's shoulders, like two children, sobbed and prayed
together for the lost darling of their age.