The beasts at Ephesus he had fought, and he would fight them again--there was fighting enough to do in the land of Egypt.

And the viper would fasten on his hand--it had fastened on his hand, and he had struck it off; but it would come again, the dark thing against which he had fought in the desert.
Their prayers had unnerved him, had got into that corner of his nature where youth and its irresponsibility loitered yet.

For a moment he was shaken, and then, looking into the faces of the Elders, said: "Friends, I go again upon paths that lead into the wilderness.

I know not if I ever shall return.

Howsoe'er that may be, I shall walk with firmer step because of all ye do for me." He closed his eyes and prayed: "O God, I go into the land of ancient plagues and present pestilence.