54. And once
being asked by the monks to come down and visit them and their abodes
after a time, he journeyed with those who came to him. And a camel
carried the loaves and the water for them. For all that desert is dry,
and there is no water at all that is fit to drink, save in that
mountain from whence they drew the water, and in which Antony’s
cell was. So when the water failed them on their way, and the heat was
very great, they all were in danger. For having gone round the
neighbourhood and finding no water, they could walk no further, but lay
on the ground and despairing of themselves, let the camel go. But the
old man seeing that they were all in jeopardy, groaning in deep grief,
departed a little way from them, and kneeling down he stretched forth
his hands and prayed. And immediately the Lord made water to well forth
where he had stood praying, and so all drank and were revived. And
having filled their bottles they sought the camel and found her, for
the rope happened to have caught in a stone and so was held fast.
Having led it and watered it they placed the bottles on its back and
finished their journey in safety. And when he came to the outer cells
all saluted him, looking on him as a father. And he too, as though
bringing supplies from the mountain, entertained them with his words
and gave them a share of help. And again there was joy in the
mountains, zeal for improvement and consolation through their mutual
faith. Antony also rejoiced when he beheld the earnestness of the
monks, and his sister grown old in virginity, and that she herself also
was the leader of other virgins.
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