them.

"I did not show myself, Malchus," the latter said as he joined his
friend, "for the chief knew me by sight, and I wished him to be
uncertain whether we were not a fresh party who had arrived."

"But who are your army?" Malchus asked; "you have astonished me as much
as the barbarians."

"There they are," Trebon said, laughing, as some fifty or sixty women
and a dozen old men and boys began to make their way down the hill.
"Fortunately the tribesmen were too much occupied with their plunder and
you to pursue us, and I got down safely with my men. I was, of course,
determined to try to rescue you somehow, but did not see how it was to
be done. Then a happy thought struck me, and the next morning we rode
down to the plain till we came to a walled village. I at once summoned
it to surrender, using threats of bringing up a strong body to destroy
the place if they refused. They opened the gates sooner than I had
expected, and I found the village inhabited only by women, old men, and
children, the whole of the fighting men having been called away to join
the Romans. They were, as you may imagine, in a terrible fright, and
expected every one of them to be killed. However, I told them that we
would not only spare their lives, but also their property, if they would
obey my orders.

"They agreed willingly enough, and I ordered all those who were strong
enough to be of any good to take each sufficient provisions for a week
and to accompany me. Astonished as they were at the order, there was
nothing for them to do but to obey, and they accordingly set out. I
found by questioning them that the road we had travelled was the regular
one up to the village, and that you would be sure to be brought down by
it if the chief intended to send you to Rome.

"By nightfall we reached this valley. The next morning we set to work
and cut a number of strong levers, then we went up on the hillside to
where you saw us, and I posted them all behind the rocks. We spent all
the day loosing stones and placing them in readiness to roll down, and
were then prepared for your coming. At nightfall I assembled them all,
and put a guard over them. We posted them again at daybreak yesterday,
but watched all day in vain, and here we should have remained for a
month if necessary, as I should have sent down some of the boys for more
provisions when those they brought were gone. However, I was right glad
when I saw you coming today, for it was dull work.