In the meantime Nicaeus himself was
not apparently very anxious of conversing upon the subject, and after
the first rapid expressions of fear and hope as to the situation of
their late comrade, they relapsed into silence, seldom broken by
Nicaeus, but to deplore the sufferings of his mistress, lamentations
which Iduna answered with a faint smile.
The refreshing scene wherein they had now entered, and the cheering
appearance of the Eremite, were subjects of mutual congratulation; and
Nicaeus, somewhat advancing, claimed the attention of the holy man,
announcing their faith, imprisonment, escape, and sufferings, and
entreating hospitality and refuge. The Eremite pointed with his staff
to the winding path, which ascended the bank of the river to the
cavern, and welcomed the pilgrims, in the name of their blessed
Saviour, to his wild abode and simple fare.
The cavern widened when they entered, and comprised several small
apartments. It was a work of the early Christians, who had found a
refuge in their days of persecution, and art had completed the
beneficent design of nature.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97