en was overthrown, and others
that Appius had gone of his own accord into banishment. These words so
prevailed with the soldiers that, without any bidding from their generals,
they took up their arms, and, with their standards carried before them,
came to Rome and pitched their camp on the Aventine.

Nevertheless, the Ten were still obstinate, affirming that they would not
resign their authority till they had finished the work for which they had
been appointed, namely, the drawing up of the twelve tables of the laws.
And when the army perceived this they marched from the Aventine and took
up their abode on the Sacred Hill, all the commons following them, so that
there was not left in the city a single man that had ability to move; nor
did the women and children stay behind, but all, as many as could move,
bare them company; for Duilius, that had been tribune, said, "Unless the
Senate see the city deserted, they will take no heed of your complaints."
And indeed, when these perceived what had taken place, they were more
urgent than before that the Ten should resign their office. And these at
last consented. "Only," said they, "do not suffer us to perish from the
rage of the commons. It will be an ill day for the nobles when the people
shall learn to take vengeance on them." And the Senate so wrought that
though at the first the commons in their great fury demanded that the Ten
should be burned alive, yet they were persuaded to yield, it being agreed
that each man should be judged by the law according to his deserts.
Appius, therefore, was accused by Virginius, and being cast into prison,
slew himself before the day appointed for the trial. Oppius also, another
of the Ten, whom the commons hated for his misdeeds next after Appius, was
accused and died in like manner. As for Claudius, that had claimed
Virginia for his slave, he was condemned to be banished. And thus at the
last, the guilty having been punished, the spirit of Virginia had rest.

THE SACRIFICE OF MARCUS CURTIUS

Adapted by Alfred J. Church

In the three hundred and ninety-third year after the building of the city
there was seen suddenly to open in the market-place a great gulf of a
deepness that no man could measure. And this gulf could not be filled up,
though all the people brought earth and stones and the like to cast into
it. But at the last there was sent a message from the Gods that the Romans
must inquire what was that by which more than all