"Hear ye! Yusef of Damascus is challenged by Dion of Philippi."
Divesting himself of his garment the Greek now stood naked among his compeers.
"Adonis has descended," shouted one, in a tone that might have been taken for either admiration or contempt.
An alipta came and rubbed Dion's arms and back with oil mingled with dust.
"Better rub him against the Jew. He'll get both grease and dirt at a touch," sneered some one.
Dion turned, and, fronting the group whence the insult came, scanned the faces one by one; but there was no response to his mute challenge.
As he moved away one ventured to say, loud enough to be heard by a few about him:
"The Jewish renegade is protected by special order of the King, or, by the club of Herakles! I would grind his face with my fists."
"The Captain seems to be the pimp's special body-guard just now," was a reply; after which the knot of men talked in low tones among themselves, casting furtive glances in the direction of Dion.