Again an army was sent, again leaders, again the Church was assailed. And when the people, mournful and weeping, stood about him, he is reported to have used a prophetic word among them: 'Be not troubled, my children,' he said, 'for it is a little cloud, and it quickly passes by.' And when he had departed, and was making his journey by ship along the river Nile, the count who had been sent for this very purpose, learning of his journey, began at once to pursue him closely. And when by chance Athanasius's little boat had put in at a certain place, he learned from those passing by that his slayer was behind him, and that, unless he looked to it, the danger was already all but at hand. All his companions who were present together, terrified, urged that the desert should be sought as a refuge for flight. Then he said: 'Be not dismayed, O little children:
let us rather go to meet our slayer, that he may know that He who defends us is far greater than he who persecutes.' And, the little boat being turned about, he set about making his way to meet the one who was pursuing him. The other, who could in no way suspect that the one he sought was coming to meet him, ordered, as it were, some passers-by to be questioned where they had heard Athanasius to be. And when they answered that they had seen him going not far off, passing on with all speed, he hastened in vain, hurrying to capture the one whom, set before his very eyes, he could not see. But Athanasius, admonished by the power of God, returned to Alexandria, and there in safety waited out his hiding place until the persecution should cease.