The tribune, standing upon the helmsman’s deck with the order of the duumvir open in his hand, spoke to the chief of the rowers.[1]
[1] Called hortator.
“What force hast thou?”
“Of oarsmen, two hundred and fifty-two; ten supernumeraries.
“Making reliefs of—”
“Eighty-four.”
“And thy habit?”
“It has been to take off and put on every two hours.”
The tribune mused a moment.
“The division is hard, and I will reform it, but not now. The oars may not rest day or night.”