"You learn from me words as well as sword-strokes," said Cethegus, smiling. "My plan is desperate, but it is the only one now possible. Is the watch set? I will go home and sleep for a couple of hours. No one must rouse me before that time. In two hours come and wake me."
"You can sleep at such a moment, general?"
"Yes; I must. And I hope I shall sleep soundly. I must have time to collect myself--I have just yielded the Forum Romanum to the barbarian King! It was too much! I need time to recover myself. Syphax, I asked yesterday if no more wine was to be had on the right bank of the Tiber?"
"I have been to seek some. There is yet a little in the temple of your God; but the priests say that it is dedicated to the service of the altar."
"That will not have spoiled it! Go, Lucius, and take it from the priests. Divide it amongst the hundred men on the bulwark of Cæsar. It is the only thing that I can give them to show my gratitude."
Followed by Syphax, Cethegus now rode slowly home.
He stopped at the principal entrance to his house.
In answer to the call of Syphax, Thrax, a groom, opened the gate.
Cethegus dismounted and stroked the neck of his noble charger.
"Our next ride will be a sharp one, my Pluto--to victory or in flight! Thrax, give him the white bread which was reserved for me."