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Updated: May 26, 2025
It was all my doing, for I persuaded and then I ordered Serge to get me sword and armour, and made the armourer alter a man's breast-plate and helmet to fit me, and and paid for it all by degrees; and then I made Serge teach me how to wear the armour and use the sword and spear and shield; and it was all like that, father." "And he has taught you all this?" said Cracis, sternly. "Yes, father.
It is impossible to put in words the young speaker's tones, mingled, as they were, of sadness, ridicule and mirth, while Cracis drew a deep, long breath and said, softly: "Brave as a lion, strong beyond the limits of ordinary men; and yet, poor faithful Serge, what a child he is at heart! Don't tell him what I said, boy. That is a piece of confidence between ourselves."
"I ought to have known your feelings, but nearly helpless as I am, I was afraid that last triumph would make you over confident, and that our followers would take their cue from their leader and become careless at a time when our position will be more hazardous than ever." "Trust me, Cracis; I shall be ready for the enemy at any moment. Now, Marcus, can I leave your father in your charge?"
"He will, father, if something isn't done." "Yes, I am afraid he would; so something must be done. Who is in the wrong, boy I or he?" "It's this I, father." "Of course," said Cracis, laughing; "but I think I am in the right. The master, if right, cannot humble himself to his man if he is in this position, Marcus. If he is in the wrong it is noble and brave to give way.
"Speak out, my son, boldly and bravely," said Cracis. "What is it you wish to say?" "That there is yet time, father, before you go." "Time for what?" said Cracis, frowning as if he grasped what his son was about to say. "Time for you to withdraw your command," cried the boy, desperately. "Father, I can't help it; I could not stay behind here with you leaving home for the wars.
Cracis was silent for a few moments, gazing searchingly into his visitor's eyes, which met his frankly and without blenching. "Is this the truth?" said Cracis, sternly. "The simple truth. Cracis, we were great friends once, and later the greatest enemies; but in all those troubles of the past did we ever doubt each other's words?" "Never," said Cracis, proudly.
Caius Julius bent his head without saying a word, and then sat back in his seat, attentively watching father and son. "But your message did not answer my question, boy," said Cracis, coldly. "Marcus, my son, how came it that you were with the little army that at my orders was to follow in our wake, crushing down the Gauls who would be sure to gather after we had passed?
"Do you know who this is?" "No, father," cried the boy, passionately, "only that he is a man who has dared to speak ill of you." "Ah!" said Cracis, slowly, and with his face softening, as he pressed the boy's arm; and then, in a voice full of dignity and pride: "May I ask why Caius Julius has condescended to visit my humble home?" "I have come as a friend, Cracis," was the reply.
"That is done," said Cracis, gravely; "and as Rome awaits my coming, lead the way." "But I have not said my valediction to your son, Cracis, and it is this: Wait, Marcus, my brave boy. Some day perhaps I may come to you as I have come to your father to ask your help. Better still, send him, full of the honours he has won, to bring his son to Rome. Till then, farewell."
"Don't say a word more," cried Marcus, holding out his hand, and, the best of friends directly, the young officer began to tell him how all that he had done was known in the cohort, and how proud the men were to have Cracis' son appointed to join their ranks. "Ah," said Serge, as soon as he could get an opportunity to speak to Marcus alone, "do you see how I am marching now, my lad?"
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