And then much trampling and confusion and noise were heard on board Burrhus’s ship. There had been free circulation of the wine cup, and it was difficult to get those who were drowsy from drink to perform their office.
The sailors were all at cross purposes, and the officers on board shouting their orders, and countermanding them as soon as given.
Meantime, there could be no further doubt of the intentions of the large ship which was bearing down upon them.
There was not a moment to lose, and Caius, having his men under orders, with all sails set, drove before the wind, speedily increasing the distance between his ship and that of Burrhus and the small galley behind it, which contained the baggage of the maniple.
There was only one large pirate vessel; and, probably concluding that the Roman galley with the richer awning contained the more important people, it tacked, and, giving up the pursuit of Caius’s galley, came alongside that of Burrhus, who was unprepared to defend himself.
Cries and shouts, and the clang of weapons, came borne upon the waters; and as the gallant little ship commanded by Caius increased the distance between the vessels, Casca and Hyacintha stood hand-in-hand on the prow, watching in the bright moonlight the conflict which was evidently raging.
Just as Caius’s ship had rounded the point which now marks the frontier at Ventimiglia, the pirate vessel was seen skimming the waters with her head set out to sea, while Burrhus’s vessel and the small galley were evidently fastened to the victorious cruiser, and soon became but specks on the distant line of blue waters.
“We have escaped,” said Caius, “but I fear me all your baggage is lost; and as for me, I have lost all but honour. I have saved one galley, and had the fellows on board Burrhus’s ship been sober, and not drunk, I could have rescued them also. Now they will be seen no more.”
“Were lives lost, think you?” said Casca.
“Ay, if they made a fight for life, they would be hewn down by those swarthy Moors—for Moors they were. They have the sharpest scimitars of any nation under heaven, and strong arms to wield them. You are bound for Rome, methinks?”