n an unknown road, now being without honor on the lips of
men. Nor have I any claim on you, being now an outlaw, whom the law
would crucify if ill-luck should betray my feet. Nor can I set you
free, since all my household doubtless is already confiscated; ye
belong by law to whomsoever Commodus may have appointed to receive my
goods. Do then at your own risk, of your own will, what seems good to
you."

Being slaves, they knelt. He bade them rise.

"We follow you," said Scylax, Cadmus murmuring assent.

"Then the night bear witness!" Sextus turned toward the row of gibbets,
pointing at them. "That is the risk we take together. If we escape
that, you shall not go unrewarded from the fortune I redeem. Norbanus,
you accept my leadership?"

Norbanus chuckled.

"I insist on it!" he answered. He, too, pointed at the row of gibbets.
"To be frightened will provide us with no armor against destiny! There
was little I had to lose; lo, I have left that for the mice to nibble!
Let us see what destiny can do to bold men! Lead on, Sextus!"

IV. THE GOVERNORS OF ROME AND ANTIOCH

Dawn was sparkling on the mountain peaks; the misty violet of half-
light crept into the passes and the sun already bathed the copper roofs
of Antioch in gleaming gold above a miracle of greenery and marble.
Like a sluggish, muddy stream with camel's heads afloat in it, the
south-bound caravan poured up against the city gate and spread itself to
await inspection by the tax-gatherers, the governor's representatives
and the police. There was a tedious procedure of examination, hindered
by the swarms of gossipers, the merchants' agents, smugglers, and the
men to whom the latest news meant livelihood, who streamed out of the
city gate and mingled with the new-comers from Asia, Bythinia, Pontus,
Pisidia, Galatia and Cappadocia.

The caravan guards piled their spears and breakfasted apart, their duty
done. They had the air of men to whom the constantly repeated marches
to and fro on the selfsame stage of a mountainous road had grown
displeasing and devoid of all romance. Two were wounded. One, with a
dent in the helmet that hung from his arm by the chin-strap, lay leaning
against a rock; refused food, and slowly bled to death, his white face
almost comically disappointed.

A military tribune, followed by a slave with tablets, and by a mounted
trooper for the sake of his official dignity, rode out from the city and
took the repor