."

Now when the soldiers met Placidus they knew not who he was; and
accosting him, they asked if he were acquainted with any foreigner named
Placidus, with his wife and two sons. He replied that he did not, but
requested that they would rest in his house. And so he took them home,
and waited on them. And here, as before, at the recollection of his
former splendour, his tears flowed. Unable to contain himself, he
went out of doors, and when he had washed his face he re-entered, and
continued his service. By-and-by one said to the other, "Surely this man
bears great resemblance to him we inquire after." "Of a truth," answered
his companion, "you say well. Let us examine if he possess a sabre-mark
on his head, which he received in action." They did so, and finding a
scar which indicated a similar wound, they leaped up and embraced him,
and inquired after his wife and sons.

He told his adventures; and the neighbours coming in, listened with
wonder to the account delivered by the soldiers of his military
achievements and former magnificence. Then, obeying the command of the
emperor, they clothed him in sumptuous apparel. On the fifteenth day
they reached the imperial court, and the emperor, apprised of his
coming, went out to meet him, and saluted him with great gladness.
Eustacius told all that had befallen him. He was then invested with the
command of the army, and restored to every office that he had held
before his departure.

He now therefore prepared with energy to encounter their enemies. He
drew together from all parts the young men of the country; and it fell
to the lot of the village where his own children were educated, to send
two to the army; and these very youths were selected by the inhabitants
as the best and bravest of their number. They appeared before the
general, and their elegant manners, so much above their station, united
to a singular propriety of conduct, won his esteem. He placed them in
the van of his troops, and began his march against the enemy. Now the
spot on which he pitched his tent was near his wife's abode; and,
strange to say, the sons themselves, in the general distribution of the
soldiers, were quartered with their own mother, but all the while
ignorant with whom they were stationed.

About mid-day, the lads sitting together, related the various chances to
which their infancy had been subject; and the mother, who was at no
great distance, became an attentive listener. "Of what I wa