But as Marius entreated them with tears in his
eyes, those who had the command of the vessel, after changing their
minds as to what they should do as often as was possible in so short a
time, at last told the horsemen that they would not surrender Marius.
The horsemen rode off in anger, and the sailors again changing their
minds, came to land, and casting anchor at the mouth of the Liris,
which spreads out like a lake, they advised Marius to disembark and
take some food on land and to rest himself from his fatigues till a
wind should rise: they added, that it was the usual time for the
sea-breeze to decline, and for a fresh breeze to spring up from the
marshes. Marius did as they advised, and the sailors carried him out
of the vessel and laid him on the grass, little expecting what was to
follow. The sailors immediately embarking again and raising the
anchor, sailed off as fast as they could, not thinking it honourable
to surrender Marius or safe to protect him. In this situation,
deserted by everybody, he lay for some time silent on the shore, and
at last recovering himself with difficulty, he walked on with much
pain on account of there being no path. After passing through deep
swamps and ditches full of water and mud, he came to the hut of an old
man who worked in the marshes, and falling down at his feet, he
entreated him to save and help a man, who, if he escaped from the
present dangers, would reward him beyond all his hopes. The man, who
either knew Marius of old or saw something in the expression of his
countenance which indicated superior rank, said that his hut was
sufficient to shelter him if that was all he wanted, but if he was
wandering about to avoid his enemies, he could conceal him in a place
which was more retired. Upon Marius entreating him to do so, the old
man took him to the marsh, and bidding him lie down in a hole near the
river he covered Marius with reeds and other light things of the kind,
which were well adapted to hide him without pressing too heavily.

XXXVIII. After a short time a sound and noise from the hut reached the
ears of Marius. Geminius of Terracina had sent a number of men in
pursuit of him, some of whom, had chanced to come there, and were
terrifying the old man and rating him for having harboured and
concealed an enemy of the Romans. Marius, rising from his hiding-place
and stripping off his clothes, threw himself into the thick and muddy
water of the marsh; and this was the c