heir effect
upon a portion of the Gauls, who turned and fled, while some of their
fellows were beating back the few Roman soldiers left unhurt.

There were enough still, though, of the Gauls to rush at spear-armed
Serge with a yell of triumph, and Marcus, as he saw the sturdy old
soldier making furious play with his spear, snatched out his sword to
rush to his help; but his course was diverted by that which he saw just
beyond, dimly enough, but with sufficient vividness to go straight to
his heart.

It was the Roman officer staggering back with his helmet falling from
his head from a blow he had just received from one Gaul, while, taking
advantage of his momentary helplessness, a second rushed at him with his
spear, bore him down backwards, and with a yell of triumph planted one
foot upon his chest and drove his spear with all his force right at his
throat.

There was a curious crashing sound as the spear point was turned aside
by the finely-tempered gorget the Roman wore, and with a snarl the Gaul
raised his weapon again for a second blow.

He made the thrust, but it was caught midway by the sword of Marcus, who
ended his rush to the Roman's help with a bound; his keen sword met the
descending spear shaft, cutting it right through as if it were a twig,
while he who wielded the sword came with all his weight full upon the
Gaul's chest and sent him rolling over and over upon the ground.

Marcus, too, came heavily to earth, but it was upon hands and knees,
and, still retaining his sword, he scrambled to his feet again at the
same time as the Gaul, who raised his headless spear on high to bring it
down upon the head of his assailant.

But at that moment Marcus was reinforced by the officer whose life he
had saved, and who, regaining his feet, cut down the Gaul and turned to
meet his next enemy; for about a dozen men came at him with a rush, but
only to be borne back in turn by a rallying party of the Romans, who,
coming at their officer's help, sprang at the Gauls, to be swept on in
turn by a tremendous rush in which Marcus was trampled down, to lie half
insensible for a few minutes before he struggled up, looked round, and
than staggered towards the trees in which the chariot was entangled,
while the horses were still being held by the driver.

Here Marcus supported himself, panting and breathing hard, by the edge
of the chariot. He was giddy, and the dim battlefield seemed to be
heaving and slowly gliding round