[423] The rate of movement through the water may be calculated from the statement that sixteen days were occupied by the voyage from Zacynthus to Sicily, a distance of three hundred miles; Procopius, loc. cit., 13.
[424] Procopius again refers to this miracle, as he seems to think it, many years after; De Aedif., vi, 6.
[425] Procopius, loc. cit., 5, 15; cf. De Aedif., vi, 5.
[426] The sailors refused to hold off as Belisarius had directed, asserting that a "Cyprian" was imminent (an easterly gale). Hence Archelaus reluctantly steered for the Stagnum, but a lieutenant, on his own responsibility, made a bold dash for the Mandracium; Procopius, loc. cit., 20.
[427] The gaol, as usual, formed part of the palace, and both were on a lofty site, which can scarcely have been other than the Byrsa. The position is clearly indicated by some of the details. Thus the gaoler came to the prisoners and said, "What will you give me if I release you?" All promised, according to their utmost ability. "I ask nothing," said he, "but that you promise to befriend me should you hereafter see me in danger." Thereupon he unbarred an outlet and showed them the Roman fleet crossing the bay. Forthwith he opened the prison, and all went off together; ibid.
[428] With this incident Procopius ends the first book of his Vandalic War.
[429] The good fortune which attended Belisarius, and the fortuitous character of most of his success in this campaign will be evident to the most superficial reader. The Byzantines themselves seem to have been fully alive to the fact, and Procopius (op. cit., i, 18; ii, 7) indulges in some reflections which may be exactly represented by the words of Hamlet (v, 2):
"Rashly,
And praised be rashness for it, let us know,
Our indiscretions sometimes serve us well,