ace,
while we replace our losses daily and season ourselves in battle and
grow to see that even Carthaginians are not immortal."

There was a moment of silence. Then Minucius spoke again.

"And, while we pursue this prudent policy, what becomes of the spirit
of our men who see that their general dares not face the enemy? What
becomes of the allies who see their fields wasted and cities burned,
while Rome lies silent in her camps and offers no succour?"

Fabius' brow clouded, but he spoke even more mildly than before.

"There is much of truth in what you say Marcus; but I am convinced that
there is less danger in such risks than in tempting the fate of
Flaminius; and there are many compensations, together with certain
victory in the end."

And then the master-of-the-horse lost control of his temper; his voice
rose, and he cried out:--

"You are general and you command, but you shall hear me when I say that
I had rather have perished bravely with a Flaminius than live to
conquer in such cowardly fashion with a Fabius."

A murmur of half-uttered applause ran around the circle, but Fabius did
not seem to hear it. He eyed his lieutenant calmly for an instant.
Then he said:--

"You speak truth, Marcus, when you say that I am general;" and, turning
his back upon Minucius, he passed through the line of officers, as they
fell aside to give him way, and proceeded slowly toward the praetorian
gate.

Here, among the soldiers, discontent with the dictator's policy was as
strong as it had been in the praetorium, while its expression was less
governed by the amenities of rank. Roman discipline, however severe as
to the acts of the legionary, put very few restrictions upon his
speech; and the general, as he watched from the rampart the lines and
movements of the enemy, heard many comments no less uncomplimentary
than those of his master-of-the-horse, and couched in language almost
as coarse as that of the Numidians themselves. It seemed as if the
foul words of the barbarians were passed on thus to the man held
responsible for Romans being compelled to listen to such insults.

Curiously enough, the centurions and under officers appeared to be the
only ones not hostile to Fabius' policy. These were silent or even
made some efforts to restrain the ribaldry of their men.

As for the general himself, no one could have appeared less conscious
of the storm his orders had provoked. His eyes were still fixed upon
the distan