All the company stood up, listening.
The cries of the legionaries became louder and louder—the noise of mutiny came nearer, like the sound of tempest over immense forests.
"Let them shout," said Julian calmly. "Poor children! Whither will they go without me? You understand? That is why I burn the ships, the last hope of the cowardly and the idle. There is now no possible return, except by miracle. Now are you bound to me for life and death. In twenty days Asia will be ours. I have girt you with terror, that you may conquer all and become like me. Rejoice! Like Dionysus, I will lead you through the world, and you shall be the masters of men and gods!..."
Hardly had he pronounced these words when a cry of infinite despair resounded through the host—
"They are on fire!... they are burning!"
The generals rushed out of the tent, followed by Julian.
They saw the glow of conflagration. Victor had transmitted the Emperor's orders literally, and Julian himself watched the flaming spectacle with a smile.
"Cæsar!... May the gods protect us!... He has escaped!"
With these words, a centurion fell at Julian's feet, pale and trembling.
"Who has escaped? What mean you?"