"I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness," replied the Apostle; then, appealing to the king, he added, "Believest thou the prophets, O King Agrippa? I know that thou believest." Agrippa said, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." "Would to God," cried St. Paul, "that not only thou, but all that hear me this day, should become such as I am, except these bonds." The king, with Festus and the rest, rose up to leave the hall. "This man hath done nothing that merits either death or the prison," said Agrippa. "He might have been set at liberty if he had not appealed unto Cæsar." As it was now necessary to send the Apostle to Rome, Festus had him placed with some other prisoners on board a ship which was going part of the way. It was in the year 62 that St. Paul started as a prisoner, with Luke and Aristarchus to bear him company. {119} Sidon was the first stopping-place, and here the Apostle was allowed to go on shore to visit the Christians who dwelt there. When they arrived at Lystra, Julius the centurion, who had charge of the prisoners, found a large ship going to Italy from Alexandria, into which he had them removed. But a contrary wind rose, so that for several days they could proceed but very slowly. It was a time of year when sailing was difficult and dangerous, so when they reached a place called Good Havens, St. Paul said it would be better to remain there during the winter. But the master of the ship and the centurion determined to go on, hoping to reach Phenice, and winter there. {120} At first a gentle south wind was blowing, but a sudden change came, and the ship was driven furiously along towards the dangerous coast of Africa. The sailors were afraid that their vessel would be broken to pieces in the storm, and they passed strong chains underneath it and took down all their sails. The next day they tried to make the ship lighter by throwing over all they could most easily spare, and upon the third day they even cast away ropes, sails, and anchors. It was so dark from the heavy stormy clouds, that the master of the ship could not discover whereabouts they were, and all hope seemed gone. Then St. Paul stood up in the midst of the frightened men, and bade them take heart, for the life of every one should be preserved, although the vessel would be lost. {121} He gave them his authority for such a promise--"For an Angel of God, Whose I am, and Whom I serve, stood by me this night, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar; and, behold, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." For fourteen long days and nights the vessel was driven about in the sea of Adria, and then the sailors thought they were drawing near land, but upon letting down their measuring line they found the water becoming so shallow that they feared being cast upon the rocks, so they cast down four anchors to hold the ship securely until morning. {122}