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Moreover the considerable Roman cavalry, numbering almost 4000 horse, proved utterly untrustworthy which doubtless admitted of explanation, for they consisted almost wholly of Celtic horsemen, especially of the mounted retainers of the Haedui, under the command of Dumnorix the well-known enemy of the Romans, and Caesar himself had taken them over still more as hostages than as soldiers.
In fair fight we can soon master it." A part of the gladiators started to leave the atrium, Gabinius with them. An instant later he had rushed back in blank dismay. "Horsemen! They are dismounting before the house. There are more than a score of them. We shall be cut to pieces." "We have more than fifty," retorted Dumnorix, viciously. "I will sacrifice them all, rather than have the attack fail!
In impotent rage the gladiators recoiled a second time. "Storm the other door!" commanded Dumnorix. The two defenders there had undertaken to pile up furniture against it; but a few blows beat down the entire barrier. Falto and Pausanias stood to their posts stoutly enough; but there was no master-swordsman to guard this entrance.
Dumnorix went yesterday with the pick of his band to Anagnia for some games. To-morrow he will return through Præneste, and the deed will be done. Phaon, Ahenobarbus's freedman, has started already for Præneste to spy out the ground and be ready to direct Dumnorix where, when, and how to find Drusus. Phaon has been spying at Præneste, and is the dangerous man!" "He has gone?" demanded Agias.
To say to her, 'Drusus is dead, will be a more grateful present than the largest diamond Lucullus brought from the East, from the treasure of King Tigranes." And it was in such a frame of mind that he met Pratinas by appointment at a low tavern on the Vicus Tuscus. The Greek was, as ever, smiling and plausible. "Congratulations!" was his greeting. "Dumnorix has already started.
In the sheltered valleys of the upper Apennines they found moderately safe and comfortable fastnesses, and soon around them gathered a number of unattached highwaymen, who sought protection and profit in allying themselves with the band led by the redoubtable lanista. But if Dumnorix was the right arm of this noble company, Publius Gabinius was its head.
"Well," said Agias, still simulating hesitancy, "I will report to my superiors. Perhaps you are not a willing accomplice of your master. In that case, if he is apprehended, your life will doubtless be spared. But we must thwart his plot before it can be carried out. This you must aid us to do. When will Dumnorix start for Præneste?" Again Sesostris quailed.
We Cæsarians are taught by our leaders never to desert a friend in need; and Drusus has been a very good friend to us, especially by using all his influence, very successfully, for our cause among the Prænestians and the people of those parts. When did you say that Dumnorix would pass through the town?" "Early to-morrow, possibly," replied the Vestal. "Phui! Dismiss all care.
The gladiators were shivering fine sculptures, ripping up upholstery, swearing in their uncouth Celtic or German dialects, searching everywhere for their victim in the rooms that led off the atrium. A voice in Latin was raising loud remonstrance. "Ædepol! Dumnorix, call off your men! Phaon hasn't led our bird into the net. We shall be ruined if this keeps on! Drusus isn't here!"
Dumnorix so far as he could be seen in the lantern light was a splendid specimen of a northern giant. He was at least six feet five inches in height, and broad proportionately. His fair straight hair tumbled in disorder over his shoulders, and his prodigiously long mustaches seemed, to the awed Ahenobarbus, almost to curl down to his neck.
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