"The procession is over; they are moving side by side, to the white rope. Now!"
"No, not yet. See, each Green and Blue is approaching the hermulæ on the right and left, to which the rope is fastened. Hark! What is Mercury shouting?"
"The prizes for the victors. Just listen: fifteen thousand sestertii, the second prize for the team of four; twenty-five thousand the first; forty thousand for the victorious five-span; and sixty thousand--that's unprecedented--for the seven."
"Look, how the seven horses harnessed to the green chariot are pawing the sand! That is Hercules, the charioteer. He has five medals already."
"But see! His opponent is the Moor Chalches. He wears seven medals. Look, he is throwing down his whip; he is challenging Hercules to drive without one, too. But he will not dare."
"Yes; he is tossing the whip on the sand. I'll bet on Hercules! I side with the Greens!" shouted Victor, excitedly.
"And I with the Blues. It ought--but stop! We--Roman citizens--betting on the games of our tyrants?"
"Oh, nonsense! you have no courage! Or no money!"
"More than you--of both! How much? Ten sestertii?"
"Twelve!"