the light spread over the sky sounds of movement were heard in the
camp, and soon figures were moving about, some beginning to make fires,
others to attend to their horses. The two Carthaginians moved about
among the tents as if similarly occupied, secure that their attire as
Roman soldiers would prevent any observation being directed towards
them. They were anxious to be off, for they feared that at any moment
they might hear the alarm raised on the discovery that the sentry was
missing.

It was nearly broad daylight now, and when they saw two or three
soldiers pass out between the sentries unquestioned they started at once
to follow them. The morning was very cold, and the soldiers who were
about were all wearing their military cloaks. Malchus had pulled the
irons as high up as he could possibly force them, and they did not show
below his cloak.

Walking carelessly along they passed through the sentries, whose duties,
now that morning had dawned, related only to discovering an enemy
approaching the camp, the soldiers being now free to enter or leave as
they pleased.

"It is of no use to go far," Malchus said; "the nearer we hide to the
camp the better. We are less likely to be looked for there than at a
distance, and it is impossible for me to travel at any speed until I get
rid of these heavy irons. As soon as we get over that little brow ahead
we shall be out of sight of the sentries, and will take to the first
hiding place we see."

The little rise was but a short distance from camp, the country beyond
was open but was covered with low brushwood. As soon as they were over
the brow and were assured that none of those who had left the camp
before them were in sight, they plunged into the brushwood, and, making
their way on their hands and knees for a few hundred yards, lay down in
the midst of it.

"They are not likely to search on this side of the camp," Malchus said.
"They will not know at what hour I escaped, and will naturally suppose
that I started at once to regain our camp. Listen, their trumpets are
blowing. No doubt they are about to strike their camp and march; by
this time my escape must be known. And now tell me, Nessus, how did you
manage to follow and discover me?"

"It was easy to follow you, my lord," Nessus said. "When I heard your
order I lay still, but watched through the bushes your meeting with the
Gauls. My arrow was in the string, and had they attacked you I should
have loosed it among