it made on the instant for his dwelling. On arriving
there, roused by the noise of the approaching throng, Probus came forth.
He was saluted by cries and yells, that seemed rather to proceed from
troops of wild beasts than men. He would fain have spoken to them, but
no word would they hear. 'Away with the Christian dog to the Prefect!'
arose in one deafening shout from the people; and on the instant he was
seized and bound, and led unresisting away to the tribunal of Varus.

As he was dragged violently along, and was now passing the door which
leads to the room where Varus sits, Felix, the bishop, having already
stood before the Prefect, was leaving the hall, urged along by soldiers
who were bearing him to prison.

'Be of good cheer, Probus!' exclaimed he; 'a crown awaits thee within.
Rome needs thy life, and Christ thy soul.'

'Peace, dotard!' cried one of those who guarded and led him; and at the
same moment brought his spear with such force upon his head that he
felled him to the pavement.

'Thou hast slain thyself, soldier, by that blow rather than him,' said
Probus. 'Thine own faith has torments in reserve for such as thee.'

'Thou too!' cried the enraged soldier; and he would have repeated the
blow upon the head of the offender, but that the descending weapon was
suddenly struck upwards, and out of the hand of him who wielded it, by
another belonging to the same legion, who guarded Probus, saying as he
did so,

'Hold, Mutius! it is not Roman to strike the bound and defenceless,
Christians though they be. Raise that fallen old man, and apply such
restoratives as the place affords.' And then, with other directions to
those who were subordinate to him, he moved on, bearing Probus with him.

Others who had arrived before him, were standing in the presence of
Varus, who was questioning them as to their faith in Christ. On the left
hand of the Prefect, and on the right of those who were examined, stood
a small altar surmounted by a statue of Jupiter, to which the Christians
were required to sacrifice. But few words sufficed for the examination
of such as were brought up. Upon being inquired of touching their faith,
there was no waiting for witnesses, but as soon as the question was put,
the arraigned person acknowledged at once his name and religion. He was
then required to sacrifice and renounce his faith, and forthwith he
should be dismissed in safety, and with honor. This the Christian
refusing steadfastly to