of Doom.
He must be about his business. He went to where Appius lay and bent
over him. The pilot drew his dagger; the youth rolled drowsily and his
hands were now upon the feet of Tepas. The latter leaned to strike. A
sound startled him. It was a footfall close behind. The Jew rose,
turning to listen. Suddenly his feet went from under him and he fell
head-long; quickly two seamen leaped upon him, seizing his head and
hands. One disarmed him, the other covered his mouth. Appius clung
upon the feet of the Jew. A Roman slave had taken the wheel.

"Shall we bind him?" said one of the seamen.

"No," said Appius, breathing heavily as the pilot tried to shake him
off. "Give the dog a chance. Yonder is an island. We shall soon be
near it, and by swimming he may save his life."

"The gold is upon him," said a seaman; "I can feel it under his tunic."

"But we shall not rob him," was the answer of Appius.

"It is heavy. It will be like a stone to sink him."

"However, we shall not rob him," the young Roman repeated.

Now, when they were come as near the isle as they dare bring their
ship, Appius gave a command. They lifted the body of that cursing
wretch. Back and forth they swung it as one counted. Then over it
went with reaching hands and fell upon the moonlit plane of water.
They could see him rise and turn towards the isle, swimming. Weighted
by his burden, he swam not twice his length before the sea closed above
him.

"I thought he had struck you with his dagger," said one of the seamen.

"It would have done no harm," Appius replied. "I have a corselet under
my tunic. Is the ship still leaking?"

"A little, good sire. We found a wedge in the planks. He would have
driven it through, no doubt, if all had gone well with him. I know not
why, unless he meant to beach her under the cliffs yonder."

The young Roman stood silent for a little time. Presently his thought
came in a whisper to his lips: "And hold my sister until Antipater
should come."

He called the seamen to his side.

"I, who am a friend of the great father of Rome," said he, "shall see
you well rewarded. The little I gave you is not enough. Without your
help and warning worse luck than death might soon have come to us."

A light wind was now blowing, and the sails began to fill.

Suddenly all rushed forward, falling upon the deck. Their trireme had
lost half her headway and was now crashing over rocks and trembling as
her