This question was addressed to one who sat motionless on his horse close by. Leading reins were attached to his charger’s bridle and held by a mounted soldier on each side.
‘No!’ replied this person, ‘I hold this delay as kind and fortunate, for the pleasant moonlight and the sweet air of heaven will soon know me no more.’
Fabricius soon showed symptoms of life, and then his recovery was rapid. He sat up and glanced around. ‘Where am I? What is all this? Ah, I know,’ he ejaculated. ‘I remember!—but you?’
‘Why, simply in this way,’ responded the officer; ‘we saw [pg 95]you on the ground, and a couple of night-hawks squabbling over you. A few moments later, and probably you would never have spoken again on earth.’
‘Most surely—robbed of what little money I have about me, and deprived of my life as well. I have been decoyed into a trap,’ said Fabricius, rising to his feet, with the help of the Centurion’s arm. ‘Thanks! My name is Quintus Fabricius, and I dwell on the Janiculum. I owe my life to you this night, and I will prove my gratitude, if my means and exertions are able to do so.’
‘There needs no thought, but thankfulness, that we chanced to arrive so opportunely. The rest was easy—they ran off when they caught sight of us—we came, saw, and conquered!’ said the officer, laughing.
‘Be that for me to determine,’ rejoined Fabricius; ‘I will ask but two things of you.’
‘Name them.’
‘The first is the name of one I have cause to remember.’
‘We are a good score of fellows—would you wish for them all?’