Martyr of the Catacombs. James De Mille

I have some. I came prepared. Go on."

      "I cannot."

      "Do you refuse?"

      "I must refuse," said the boy. "My friends and my relatives are below. Sooner than lead you to them I would die a hundred deaths."

      "You are bold. You do not know what death is."

      "Do I not? What Christian can fear death? I have seen many of my friends die in agony, and I have helped bury them. I will not lead you there. Take me away to prison."

      The boy turned away.

      "But if I take you away what will your friends think? Have you a mother?"

      The boy bowed his head and burst into a passion of tears. The mention of that dear name had overcome him.

      "I see that you have, and that you love her. Lead me down, and you shall join her again."

      "I will never betray them. I will die first. Do with me as you wish."

      "If I had any evil intentions," said Marcellus, "do you think I would go down unaccompanied?"

      "What can a soldier, and a Pretorian, want with the persecuted Christians, if not to destroy them?"

      "Boy, I have no evil intentions. If you guide me down below I swear I will not use my knowledge against your friends. When I am below I will be a prisoner, and they can do with me what they like."

      "Do you swear that you will not betray them?"

      "I do, by the life of Caesar and the immortal gods," said Marcellus, solemnly.

      "Come along, then," said the boy. "We do not need torches. Follow me carefully."

      And the lad entered the narrow opening.