Nothing hindered him.
"O Heraklas!" he whispered, trembling with excitement.
"Sit down again and rest, till I help our brethren, also," whispered his brother.
But though Heraklas toiled with all his remaining strength, he succeeded in releasing but one other Christian.
"Leave us," urged the others.
"O my brethren," answered Heraklas with a sob, "would that I could save you!" But the six Christians answered steadily, "Why weepest thou, brother?
We but go to our Father's house before thee." Then he whose feet Heraklas had released, thanked him most heartily, and all said farewell.
Hours had gone by since Heraklas first came on board the ship.
Cautiously he and Timokles and the other Christian crept out of the hold.

Every movement of their own affrighted them, though they knew a drunken stupor rested on some of the ship's company.

One after another the three fugitives finally slipped into the water.

Heraklas bore up Timokles, who swam but weakly.

The third Christian was feeble, but he made headway, and in slow fashion they came at length to the docks of Alexandria.
By this time it was long past midnight.