r friends hard enough, Gurta. Root and branch is the word.
They'll have to make a few Christians for the occasion, in order to kill
them: and I almost think they're about it," he added, thoughtfully. "They
have to show that they are not surpassed by the rabble. 'Tis a pity
Christians are so few, isn't it, mother?"

"Yes, yes," she said, "but we must crush them, grind them, many or few:
and we shall, we shall! Callista's to come."

"I don't see they are worse than other people," said Juba; "not at all,
except that they are commonly sneaks. If Callista turns, why should not I
turn too, mother, to keep her company, and keep your hand in?"

"No, no, my boy," returned the witch, "you must serve _my_ master. You are
having your fling just now, but you will buckle to in good time. You must
one day take some work with my merry men. Come here, child," said the fond
mother, "and let me kiss you."

"Keep your kisses for your monkeys and goats and cats," answered Juba;
"they're not to my taste, old dame. Master! my master! I won't have a
master! I'll be nobody's servant. I'll never stand to be hired, nor cringe
to a bully, nor quake before a rod. Please yourself, Gurta; I am a free
man. You're my mother by courtesy only."

Gurta looked at him savagely. "Why, you're not going to be pious and
virtuous, Juba? A choice saint you'll make! You shall be drawn for a
picture."

"Why shouldn't I, if I choose?" said Juba. "If I must take service, willy
nilly, I'd any day prefer the other's to that of your friend. I've not
left the master to take the man."

"Blaspheme not the great gods," she answered, "or they'll do you a
mischief yet."

"I say again," insisted Juba, "if I must lick the earth, it shall not be
where your friend has trod. It shall be in my brother's fashion, rather
than in yours, Gurta."

"Agellius!" she shrieked out with such disgust, that it is wonderful she
uttered the name at all. "Ah! you have not told me about him, boy. Well,
is he safe in the pit, or in the stomach of an hyena?"

"He's alive," said Juba; "but he has not got it in him to be a Christian.
Yes, he's safe with his uncle."

"Ah! Jucundus must ruin him, debauch him, and then we must make away with
him. We must not be in a hurry," said Gurta, "it must be body and soul."

"No one shall touch him, craven as he is," answered Juba. "I despise him,
but let him alone."

"Don't come across me," said Gurta, sullenly; "I'll have my way. Why, you
know I co