order
for action, Marcus' heart did not fail, for it beat as strongly as ever,
but a feeling of doubt began to grow as he glanced along the line of the
army he was approaching, and then at the loose mass standing or moving
about at right angles, and thought how impossible it would be to dash
through them.

At last, when the chariot was about fifty yards from the line, and a
couple of the enemy who seemed to be leaders stepped forward as if to
take their weapons, Marcus, without turning his head, whispered softly:

"Ready, Serge?"

"Ready!" was the reply.

"Then drop your rein when I say _Now_. You, driver, turn their heads at
the same moment and gallop away."

For answer the charioteer gathered up the reins a little, when, startled
at the touch, the ponies threw up their heads.

What followed looked so natural upon the movement of the steeds that
when Marcus gave the word, and he and Serge stepped back together it
seemed to the enemy as if the horses had snatched the reins from their
hands, and when the chariot was turned rapidly, to dash off, the actions
of Marcus and Serge in catching at the sides and swinging themselves in
were looked upon as attempts to help the driver check the endeavours of
a restive pair of horses which had taken fright and galloped away at
full speed.

Consequently a burst of laughter arose, to travel down the line, every
man watching the progress of the supposed runaways with delight, while
the body of men, now a disorderly crowd, instead of taking the alarm and
closing up with presented spears to receive and impale the runaways,
caught the contagion of laughter and separated, tumbling over one
another in their haste to escape the expected shock, and leaving a wide
opening through which the horses tore, urged to their utmost speed by
their driver's excited cries.

Seeing this, Marcus shouted to Serge, who was ready with the spears and
holding out one to Marcus.

"No, no," he cried, and seeing no danger he bent over the front of the
chariot, making believe to snatch at the reins, and grasping his idea
Serge seemed to be seconding his efforts as they tore by, and it was not
until the last of the enemy was left behind that any attempt was made to
follow, while even then the idea that it was a ruse went home but
slowly.

"Hurrah!" said Marcus, softly, for he did not dare to shout. "They may
think what they like now; we have got the start and ought to be able to
drive clear away for