The sun had all but set, when Caecilius and Victor passed the city gate;and it was more than twilight as they crossed the wild hills leading tothe precipitous pass. Evil men were not their only peril in this work ofcharity. They were also in danger from wild beasts in these lone wastes,and, the heathen would have added, from bad spirits. Bad spirits Caeciliusrecognised too; but he would not have granted that they were perilous. Thetwo went forward, saying prayers lowly, and singing psalms, when a suddencry was heard, and a strong tall form rushed past them. It might be somerobber of the wild, or dangerous outcast, or savage fanatic, who knew andhated their religion; however, while they stopped and looked, he had come,and he was gone. But he came again, more slowly; and from his remarkableshape Caecilius saw that it was the brother of Agellius. He said, "Juba;"Juba started back, and stood at a distance. Caecilius held out his hand,and called him on, again mentioning his name. The poor fellow came nearer:Caecilius's day's work was not at an end.
Since we last heard of him, Juba had dwelt in the mountainous tract overwhich the two Christians were now passing; roaming to and fro, or beatinghimself in idle fury against the adamantine rocks, and fighting with thestern necessity of the elements. How he was sustained can hardly beguessed, unless the impulse, which led him on the first accession of hisfearful malady, to fly upon the beasts of the desert, served him herealso. Roots too and fruits were scattered over the wild; and still more soin the ravines, wherever any quantity of soil had been accumulated. Alas!had the daylight lasted, in him too, as well as in Callista, Caeciliuswould have found changes, but of a very different nature; yet even in himhe would have seen a change for the better, for that old awful expressionof pride and defiance was gone. What was the use of parading a self-will,which every moment of his life belied? His actions, his words, his hands,his lips, his feet, his place of abode, his daily course, were in thedominion of another, who inexorably ruled him. It was not the gentleinfluence which draws and persuades; it was not the power which can bepropitiated by prayer; it was a tyranny which acted without reaction,energetic as mind, and impenetrable as matter.
"Juba," said Caecilius a third time. The maniac came nearer, and then againsuddenly retreated. He stood at a short distance from Caecilius, as ifafraid to come on, and cried out, tossing his hands wildly, "Away, blackhypocrite, come not near me! Away! hound of a priest, cross not my path,lest I tear you to shreds!" Such visitations were no novelties toCaecilius; he raised his hand and made the sign of the cross, then he said,"Come." Juba advanced, shrieked, and used some terrible words, and rushedupon Caecilius, as if he would treat him as he had treated the savage wolf."Come?" he cried, "yes, I come!" and Victor ran up, fearing his teethwould be in Caecilius's throat, if he delayed longer. The latter stood hisground, quailing neither in eye nor in limb; he made the sign of the crossa second time; and in spite of a manifest antagonism within him, thestricken youth, with horrid cries, came dancing after him.
Thus they proceeded, with some signs of insurrection from time to time onJuba's part, but with a successful reduction of it as often on the part ofCaecilius, till they got to the ascent by the olive-trees, where carefulwalking was necessary. Then Caecilius turned round, and beckoned him. Hecame. He said, "Kneel down." He knelt down. Caecilius put his hand on hishead, saying to him, "Follow me close and without any disturbance." Thethree pursued their journey, and all arrived safe at the cavern. ThereCaecilius gave Juba in charge to Romanus, who had been intrusted with the_energumens_ at Carthage.
Callista : a Tale of the Third Century Page 40
