Bissula. English Read online

  CHAPTER VIII.

  Days had passed since the incident related in the last chapter. TheRomans had entered the country without encountering the slightestresistance. After encamping on the summit of Meersburg and restingduring the following day, they had set forth again and, turningsomewhat inland from the lake and its swampy shores, reached theIdisenhang.

  Finding this commanding position undefended, they had formed apermanent camp here at the spot agreed upon with the troops which hadembarked on the fleet. As soon as this seemed sufficiently fortified tobe defended by a small garrison left behind, and their comrades inArbon had the fleet ready, the latter were to cross, land, and beginthe pursuit of the invisible Barbarians.

  But scarcely had Nannienus seen from Arbon on the opposite shore thatthe column sent by land had reached the spot appointed and establisheda camp, when he despatched by a swift fisher-boat tidings whichthreatened to defer the progress of the enterprise for an indefinitetime. As soon as the experienced commander reached the Roman post hediscovered that the equipment of the necessary vessels would requirefar more time than had been expected.

  The reports of the magistrates and officers to the distant Emperor,which represented a considerable portion of the old Roman fleet asstill in existence and, moreover, strengthened by newly built ships,proved false and shamefully exaggerated: these unprincipled men,corrupt, like nearly all the officials in the Empire, had concealedtheir numerous defeats in which the Barbarians had gradually destroyedthese ships; they had then appropriated the money furnished to buildnew ones, and reported them completed.

  This was the discovery made by the Comes of Britannia, who announcedwith fierce indignation--he had sent the treacherous quaestors andnauarchs in chains to the Emperor at Vindonissa--that though he hadordered work to be carried on in the little dockyard night and day, theintended landing must be deferred to a considerably later period.Energetic Saturninus was incensed by this enforced idleness: but hecould do nothing save vituperate the corruption of the magistracy, theEmpire, the whole age, and--wait.

  The richly decorated tent intended for the Prefect of Gaul was pitchedupon the very summit of the height which is now occupied by thecemetery of the village of Berg. Soft rugs, piled one above another,covered the ground; a couch was placed against the back of the leathertent, and beside it stood a table adorned with costly drinking-vessels.An old freedman, a slave, and the cup-bearer were engaged in giving thelast touches. There were places for three on the horseshoe-shapedcouch, and a row of goblets stood on the table; for, though the c[oe]nahad been served in the Tribune's tent, the Prefect had invited him andhis nephew to take some choice wine after the meal in the Praetorianone.

  While the servants were busied in preparing the table, the looseleather at the poles in the rear of the tent was repeatedly raisednoiselessly and then dropped again. No one observed it. Two of the mennow went out, but the cupbearer still lingered to wipe again and againthe inside of a magnificent silver goblet, which, supported by threegraceful female figures, bore the inscription: "The graces to theirfavorite, Ausonius."

  "Not ready yet, Davus?" the old freedman had asked in a tone ofvexation, as he turned away.

  "No, Prosper. You know our master will drink only from this cup, theEmperor's gift, and he is so particular about it."

  The slave was scarcely alone when the leather flap of the tent wasagain raised, a watchful face was thrust cautiously in. "Alone atlast!" a voice whispered.

  "I was waiting for you, my lord."

  "Well? To-day? At the nocturnal carouse?"

  "No. I dare not attempt it yet. Your uncle is as well as he was at homein Burdigala. Let him first sicken under this Barbarian sky, theunwonted fatigues of camp life in the rain and swamps; then it will beeasier. But now--in perfect health? No, no! Have patience. Wait alittle longer."

  "I cannot. My creditors, the usurers, are hounding me to the death;have followed me here to the camp. And this region, this neighborhood,as you know, is more perilous to me than any other spot in the wholeworld. So hasten!"

  "As soon as he begins to ail a little I'll do it at once. But I mustconfess--"

  "What?"

  "The vial of poison you gave me, I--"

  "Lost? You blockhead!"

  "No, it is broken. During the steep ascent of the mountain recently Islipped, struck my breast against a boulder, and crushed the littlebottle, whose contents all poured out."

  "Alas, then where else--"

  "Have no fear, my lord. I've seen hemlock enough growing in thesemarshy meadows to poison our whole army. I have already begun to gatherand dry it. Do you the same, and as soon--"

  Loud voices and the clank of weapons were heard; the face vanished, andthe slave passed through the doorway of the tent into the open air.