Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you."
And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all: and he broke it, and began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing [{474}] out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow struck and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land: and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.
III
AT MALTA
Paul Sails Again for Rome on the Ship "Twin Brothers."
And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Malta. And the barbarians showed us uncommon kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
II. ALONG THE APPIAN WAY, THE GREAT ROMAN AQUEDUCT.
Owned by Prof. E. J. Brady, Department of Latin, Smith College, and used by his kind permission.
The Appian Way has been called the "Queen of Roads." It was in Paul's time the crowded approach to the metropolis of the world. Near the city the road passed under the aqueduct, which was continually dripping water, hence called by Juvenal "the moist gate".
| "Praetors, proconsuls to their provinces Hasting, or on return in robes of state; Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, Legions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings; Or embassies from regions far remote, In various habits on the Appian Way." |
| --Milton's "Paradise Regained" |
