phet prefers riding to walking."

Vinicius did not know himself what to answer; but hearing from Peter
that the quarryman's hut was near by, he said,--

"Take the mules to Macrinus."

"Pardon me, lord, if I mention the house in Ameriola. In view of such an
awful fire, it is easy to forget a thing so paltry."

"Thou wilt get it."

"O grandson of Numa Pompilius, I have always been sure, but now, when
this magnanimous prophet also has heard the promise, I will not remind
thee even of this, that thou hast promised me a vineyard. Pax vobiscum.
I shall find thee, lord. Pax vobiscum."

They answered, "And peace with thee."

Then both turned to the right toward the hills. Along the road Vinicius
said,

"Lord, wash me with the water of baptism, so that I may call myself a
real confessor of Christ, for I love Him with all the power of my soul.
Wash me quickly, for I am ready in heart. And what thou commandest I
will do, but tell me, so that I may do it in addition."

"Love men as thy own brothers," answered the Apostle, "for only with
love mayst thou serve Him."

"Yes, I understand and feel that. When a child I believed in the Roman
gods, though I did not love them. But I so love Him the One God that
I would give my life for Him gladly." And he looked toward the sky,
repeating with exaltation: "For He is one, for He alone is kind and
merciful; hence, let not only this city perish, but the whole world, Him
alone will I confess and recognize."

"And He will bless thee and thy house," concluded the Apostle.

Meanwhile they turned into another ravine, at the end of which a faint
light was visible. Peter pointed to it and said,--

"There is the hut of the quarryman who gave us a refuge when, on the way
from Ostrianum with the sick Linus, we could not go to the Trans-Tiber."

After a while they arrived. The hut was rather a cave rounded Out in
an indentation of the hill, and was faced outside with a wall made of
reeds. The door was closed, but through an opening, which served for
a window, the interior was visible, lighted by a fire. Some dark giant
figure rose up to meet them, and inquired,--"Who are ye?"

"Servants of Christ," answered Peter. "Peace be with thee, Ursus."

Ursus bent to the Apostle's feet; then, recognizing Vinicius, seized his
hand by the wrist, and raised it to his lips.

"And thou, lord," said he. "Blessed be the name of the Lamb, for the joy
which thou wilt bring to Callina."

He opened the d