lieve in the future of
Rome. As things are--but it is already late," he cried, starting up.
"Let us seek our couches. We shall not be able to end this old
conflict of ours; coming generations will decide it, but not with
words. Good-night! Dream of Bissula--that we may find her: you believe
in dreams. For to-morrow--Nannienus has at least completed a couple of
ships which he will send to cruise along the northern shore--we will
make a little expedition eastward."

He raised the curtain and strode in his clanking armor out into the
darkness; he could not help thinking constantly of the beautiful
wood-nymph. Herculanus also took his leave, but he was scarcely outside
the tent when he shook his clenched fist threateningly toward the east,
muttering through his set teeth: "Wait, Barbarian witch!" But Ausonius
stretched himself on his camp bed, put out the light, and murmured:
"Sleep peacefully, my Bissula, wherever you may be; to-morrow perhaps I
shall once more see those never-to-be-forgotten eyes."

CHAPTER XIV.

At daybreak the tuba sounded through the Roman camp, summoning to
departure the bands who were to share the expedition.

"Where is my nephew?" asked Ausonius, mounting the beautiful gray
Cantabrian stallion, whose stirrup was held by old Prosper. "He is
usually the first at my bedside to greet me."

"He hastened on with his mailed riders long ago. He started even before
the Tribune."

"What zeal! I like that," said the uncle, patting the neck of his noble
steed. "At home in Burdigala he devoted his time solely to--"

"To spending your money, O patron!" growled the old man.

"Pshaw, never mind, graybeard! My money--it will soon be his money."

"May the Olympians--forgive me, the saints--forbid!"

"Put no restraint on yourself on my account. I prefer them too. They
have the advantage of suiting the metre better, at least most of them.
Where is Saturninus?"

"Gone already. He left word that you might follow: you could not miss
the way. See, there are the helmets of the last men in his rear-guard.
His countryman Decius commands them."

"I see. Forward! How beautifully the morning light smiles upon us. Help
me, unconquered sun-god!"

He put spurs to his horse and, followed by a brilliant train of mounted
men, dashed down the hill and through the Porta Principalis Dextra
eastward, toward the sun. A guide had sought the best path at the
earliest dawn, marking it by placi