else being with him. For he recognised that place as his own home,
and kept it thenceforth. And the Saracens themselves, seeing
Antony's readiness, came that way on purpose, and joyfully brought
him loaves; and he had, too, the solace of the dates, which was then
little and paltry. But after this, the brethren, having found out
the spot, like children remembering their father, were anxious to
send things to him; but Antony saw that, in bringing him bread, some
there were put to trouble and fatigue; and, sparing the monks even
in that, took counsel with himself, and asked some who came to him
to bring him a hoe and a hatchet, and a little corn; and when these
were brought, having gone over the land round the mountain, he found
a very narrow place which was suitable, and tilled it; and, having
plenty of water to irrigate it, he sowed; and, doing this year by
year, he got his bread from thence, rejoicing that he should be
troublesome to no one on that account, and that he was keeping
himself free from obligation in all things. But after this, seeing
again some people coming, he planted also a very few pot-herbs, that
he who came might have some small solace after the labour of that
hard journey. At first, however, the wild beasts in the desert,
coming on account of the water, often hurt his crops and his
tillage; but he, gently laying hold of one of them, said to them
all, "Why do you hurt me, who have not hurt you? Depart, and, in
the name of the Lord, never come near this place." And from that
time forward, as if they were afraid of his command, they never came
near the place. So he was there alone in the inner mountain, having
leisure for prayer and for training. But the brethren who
ministered to him asked him that, coming every month, they might
bring him olives, and pulse, and oil; for, after all, he was old.
And while he had his conversation there, what great wrestlings he
endured, according to that which is written, "Not against flesh and