The Christians have already seen the ship.

They are on it! Not one bath recanted.

But the ship saileth not for two days yet, and now, the men on board make merry.

Hearest thou not their voices ?" A slave passed so near as almost to brush the speaker's apparel, yet the man paid no heed.
But Athribis had heard.

For what else but to hear had he this morning stolen down to the docks?
He knew of the little company of Christians that had been brought captive to Alexandria, for a slave belonging to another household had told Athribis secretly, "He who was once thy young master--the Christian, Timokles--hath been brought in from the desert and goeth on the ship!" In his heart Athribis made answer, "The ship needeth another passenger--my young master, the Christian, Heraklas!" But, as yet, Athribis hardly dared say so, for he had no certain proof to bring of Heraklas' Christianity.