“I ask for no weapons but the trident and the net,” said Placidus, looking fixedly at Licinius. “Esca, if you so call him, may be armed as usual with sword and helmet.”
“And shield,” interrupted the other; too old a soldier, even in the excitement of the moment, to throw a chance away.
Placidus affected to demur.
“Well,” said he, after a few moments’ hesitation, “’tis but a young swordsman, and a barbarian; I give you the shield in.”
A vision crossed the brain of Licinius, that already made [pg 115]him repent of his rashness. He saw the fine form writhing in those pitiless meshes, like a beast taken in the toils. He saw the frank blue eyes, looking upward, brave and kindly even in their despair. He saw the unsparing arm raised to strike, and the bright curling locks dabbled all in blood. But then he remembered the Briton’s extraordinary strength and activity, his natural courage and warlike education—he was irritated, too, by the insolent malice that gleamed in the tribune’s eyes; and he persuaded himself that nothing but renown and triumph could accrue to his favourite from such a contest.
“Be it so,” said he; “retiarius and secutor. You will have no child’s play, I can tell you; and now for the terms of the wager. I stake no man’s life against a morsel of tinsel or a few polished pebbles, I warn you at once.”
He glanced while he spoke, somewhat contemptuously, over the costly ornaments that decorated the tribune’s dress. The latter laughed good-humouredly.
“A dozen slaves would scarce fetch the value of my sleeve-clasps. At least, a dozen of these islanders, whom you may capture by scores every time a legion moves its camp. Listen, I will wager two of my white horses against your picture of Daphne, or the bust of Euphrosyne that stands in your bath-room. Nay, I will give you more advantage still. I will stake the whole team, and the chariot into the bargain, against the British slave himself!”
Again had the other been watching him narrowly; he must have perceived a strange suppressed eagerness on the tribune’s face, but he was preoccupied and annoyed; he had gone too far to retract, and a murmur from the listening guests denoted their opinion of the generosity displayed in this last proposal. When a man has placed himself in a false position, his efforts at extrication generally plunge him deeper than before. Quick as lightning, Licinius bethought him that the present bargain might probably save Esca’s life, in the unlikely event of his being conquered, so he closed with it unhesitatingly, though he regretted doing so a moment afterwards.
The match was accordingly made upon the following terms: That Esca should enter the amphitheatre during the approaching games of Ceres, armed with sword, shield, and helmet, to oppose Placidus, whose only weapons were to be the trident and the net. That in the event of the latter being worsted, his four white horses and gilded chariot should become the property of Licinius; but that if he obtained [pg 116]the victory, and the populace permitted him to spare the vanquished, then his late antagonist should become his slave; and how enviable would be that position could only be known to the tribune himself and one other person from whom he had that day received kinder looks and smiles than she had ever before granted to an unwelcome suitor.