er he would allude to the Gauls so
scornfully had they been able to understand his words.

The Capuan turned to the Gallic chief, who, together with his
followers, had drawn nearer.

"Make way!" he cried. "Loose the slave that drives." Then to his own
men, "Raise up the two that are hurt;" and to Marcia, "And you, lady;
will it please you to return to your carriage?"

But the Gauls, although evidently understanding the nature of his
orders, showed no disposition to obey them. On the contrary, at a few
words from their chief, they pushed closer yet, and some of them even
began to jostle the soldiers of the Capuan guard. A light blow or a
sharp word bade fair to precipitate a conflict that, despite the
numerical equality, could hardly be doubtful in its outcome, when a
sharp, commanding voice rang out behind.

All swung around, as if to meet a blow, and the press opened. A rider,
glittering in arms of simple but rich design, and mounted upon a black
horse, was advancing from the gate. Two Spaniards, who rode several
spear lengths behind him, were his sole escort; but, alone or at the
head of a legion, it was all the same: no eye of Gaul or Capuan saw
aught but the one horseman; and yet it was not easy to tell wherein the
force lay. He was a young man, probably twenty--possibly twenty-five,
for life advanced quickly under the sun of Africa. His figure was
slender and boyish, his face thinly bearded, a lack which was
accentuated by the beard being divided into two points. Yes, now they,
saw; it was his eyes that had dispelled the boast and swagger of the
Gaul, the superciliousness of the Capuan, and whatever of brawling
boldness had been in either. These eyes were black and large and
flashing with courage and energy and the pride of noble birth. No
detail of the scene seemed to escape their first glance, and he asked
no question, as he rode into the crowd.

"Ardix," he said, addressing the Gaul in his own tongue, "back to your
gate! and you," turning to the Capuan officer and changing his language
with ready ease, "it would be wise for you to consider the unwisdom of
quarrelling with our veterans."

There was just enough of contempt in the inference of the last word to
check the flow of explanation and complaint that was rising to the lips
of the young exquisite. The newcomer had turned his back. The Capuan
saw his followers slinking away with Ardix and his Gauls. It was hard
to lose a chance of talking