ded.

In the worst case the centurion and his men could retreat into the
castle, and there defend themselves till the warriors of the nearest
seaports--whither messengers were already on their way--should come to
the rescue.

The Gaul's orders were immediately obeyed, and Hermas walked at the head
of the division entrusted to him, as proud and as self-possessed as any
of Caesar's veterans leading his legion into the field. He carried a bow
and arrows at his back, and in his hand a battleaxe that he had bought
at Raithu.

Miriam attempted to follow the troops he was leading, but he observed
her, and called out, "Go up to the fort, child, to my father." And the
shepherdess obeyed without hesitation.

The anchorites had all crowded to the edge of the precipice, they looked
at the division of the forces, and signed and shouted down. They had
hoped that some part of the fighting men would be joined to them for
their defence, but, as they soon learned, they had hoped in vain.
Stephanus, whose feeble sight could not reach so far as the plain at the
foot of the declivity, made Paulus report to him all that was going
on there, and with the keen insight of a soldier he comprehended the
centurion's plan. The troop led by Hermas passed by below the tower,
and the youth waved and shouted a greeting up to his father. Stephanus,
whose hearing remained sharper than his sight, recognized his son's
voice and took leave of him with tender and loving words in as loud a
voice as he could command. Paulus collected all the overflow of the old
man's heart in one sentence, and called out his blessings through his
two hands as a speaking-trumpet, after his friend's son as he departed
to battle. Hermas understood; but deeply as he was touched by this
farewell he answered only by dumb signs. A father can find a hundred
words of blessing sooner than a son can find one of thanks.

As the youth disappeared behind the rocks, Paulus said, "He marches on
like an experienced soldier, and the others follow him as sheep follow
a ram. But hark!--Certainly--the foremost division of the Pharanites and
the enemy have met. The outcry comes nearer and nearer."

"Then all will be well," cried Stephanus excitedly. "If they only take
the bait and let themselves be drawn on to the plateau I think they are
lost. From here we can watch the whole progress of the battle, and
if our side are driven back it may easily happen that they will throw
themselves into the