hen the populace broke out into expressions of
enthusiastic delight; many even wept for joy to see again the likeness
of their old favorite; all declared that Caesar was his worthy
successor. The nobles were filled with anger and fear. Catulus, who was
their leader, accused Caesar in the Senate. "This man," he said, "is no
longer digging mines against his country, he is bringing battering-rams
against it." The Senate, however, was afraid or unwilling to act. As for
the people, it soon gave the young man a remarkable proof of its favor.
What may be called the High Priesthood became vacant. It was an honor
commonly given to some aged man who had won victories abroad and borne
high honors at home. Such competitors there were on this occasion,
Catulus being one of them. But Caesar, though far below the age at which
such offices were commonly held, determined to enter the lists. He
refused the heavy bribe by which Catulus sought to induce him to
withdraw from the contest, saying that he would raise a greater sum to
bring it to a successful end. Indeed, he staked all on the struggle.
When on the day of election he was leaving his house, his mother
followed him to the door with tears in her eyes. He turned and kissed
her, "Mother," he said, "to-day you will see your son either High Priest
or an exile."

The fact was that Caesar had always shown signs of courage and ambition,
and had always been confident of his future greatness. Now that his
position in the country was assured men began to remember these stories
of his youth. In the days when Sulla was master of Rome, Caesar had been
one of the very few who had ventured to resist the great man's will.
Marius, the leader of the party, was his uncle, and he had himself
married the daughter of Cunia, another of the popular leaders. This wife
Sulla ordered him to divorce, but he flatly refused. For some time his
life was in danger; but Sulla was induced to spare it, remarking,
however, to friends who interceded for him, on the ground that he was
still but a boy, "You have not a grain of sense, if you do not see that
in this boy there is the material for many Mariuses." The young Caesar
found it safer to leave Italy for a time. While traveling in the
neighborhood of Asia Minor he fell into the hands of the pirates, who
were at that time the terror of all the Eastern Mediterranean. His first
proceeding was to ask them how much they wanted for his ransom. "Twenty
talents," (about fiv