knows the country."

"There is no one," said the captain, sharply. "Whoever goes must find
his way by the traces left by the generals."

"Yes, that's right, captain," said Serge.

"Well, man, whom am I to send?"

"Me!" cried Marcus, excitedly. "I'll find my father and take your
message."

"You shall, boy," said the captain, catching Marcus by the arm. "It is
what I planned, for I am going to send to Cracis, who will be directing
the forces and the arrangements of the campaign, while Caius Julius
leads the men. You, boy, have one of the best chariots and the swiftest
horses in the force. There is no need for me to write if you tell your
father that you come from me. Tell him everything you know, and that I
am going to hold out to the last, even if I have to butcher the horses
that the men may live. Tell him I am in a perilous strait, and that
help must come to save me and give the enemy a lesson that they will not
forget."

"Yes--yes," cried Marcus; "and I start at once?"

"Not yet, only be quite ready to dash off yonder by the lower track
which you can see leading downward through those hills. I say dash off,
but only if the enemy make for you. If you are not followed hasten
slowly for your horses' sake. Remember that he who goes softly goes
far, and I want sureness more than speed."

"But he can't get out yonder, captain," growled Serge, fiercely. "You
are going to kill the boy."

"Well," said the captain, with a peculiar smile, "could I honour the son
of great Cracis more than by letting him die for the sake of his
country?"

"That's all very grand in sound, captain," cried Serge, grasping Marcus'
other arm, "but he's my boy as much as his father's, and I won't stand
by and see him go alone to sudden death."

"Serge!" cried Marcus, fiercely. "How dare you! Captain, don't heed
him; I am ready to go the moment you say the word, and--and--"

"Well, boy?"

"If I am killed," continued Marcus, struggling hard with his emotion,
"and you ever see my father again, tell him, sir, that I went to my
death doing my duty, as he taught me, and praying that he will forgive
me for disobeying his commands."

"I will, boy," cried the chief, warmly; "but it shall not come to that,
for you will reach your father, I feel sure, and bring me the help I
need."

"He can't, captain, I tell you," cried Serge, fiercely. "Yes, you may
punish me, a common soldier, for speaking as I do, but I tell you once
again th