Malchus and his companion had already gone a considerable distance, when, looking back, they noticed a cloud of dust a long way off, which rapidly drew nearer. Shortly, they distinguished two armed men on camels, who were gaining on them fast. It was evident that their master was coming in pursuit of them with his servant.
Terrified, they looked around for a place to hide. A cleft in a rock, some distance ahead, caught their eyes. It appeared to be the entrance to a cave. Seeking this last place of refuge, the Catholics ran as hard as they could.
As the passage beneath the rock seemed very long, they were afraid to go in very far, so they crouched in a corner near the entrance. A few minutes later, their pursuers reached the cavern. Stopping before it, the Arabs cried out with loud shouts and terrible threats for the fugitives to come out. There was no answer. The angry master sent his servant into the cave to drive out the two men at the sword’s point.
The servant entered and walked deeper and deeper into the cavern, until he had gone a long way, all the while making a great deal of noise as he went. Suddenly
a lioness sprang upon him out of the darkness, killed him, and dragged him away to her den. In the meanwhile, the Arab waiting outside grew impatient at the non-appearance of his servant. Dismounting his camel, the slave-master entered the cavern himself, uttering oaths and curses. The lioness swiftly sprang upon him as well, killing him with a single blow of her paw.
Malchus now cringed, as he remained hiding with his friend. The two men trembled with fear, rightfully expecting to be the next victims of the huntress.
But matters took an unexpected turn.
Apparently, due to the Arab intruders, the lioness thought her den was not safe enough for her children. So, one by one, she carried out the little cubs in her mouth, taking them out of the cave and away. After the last one was gone, the lioness did not return.
When evening came, the monk and his companion cautiously left their hiding-place. To their great delight and astonishment, they found the two camels lying close by, patiently waiting for their master’s return. With the animals was also plenty of food and supplies for their journey. With tears of gratitude to Almighty God for their wonderful deliverance, the fugitives mounted the camels.
