Little did Timokles know how the memory of Vivia Perpetua's death hour had haunted Pentaur.

They had been children together in Carthage, and the martyrdom that Vivia Perpetua had suffered in her young womanhood had impressed Pentaur more than all the agony he had seen other Christians endure.

When she gave up her life, he had clinched his hands, and muttered fierce words against Carthage's gods, words he afterward trembled to recall.

He served those gods now, yet he revered the memory of the Christian, Vivia Perpetua, as of one of the holiest of women.
Timokles ventured no further words.
Pentaur summoned a slave, and committed to his care the young Christian.

The memory of Vivia Perpetua might pierce the merchant's soul, but would not avail for Timokles' release.
Bound to another slave to prevent escape, Timokles traveled with the company that night, and before morning the oasis of Ammon, "Oasis Ammonia," was reached.