"
But Arria divined the secret of the poor slave-girl, and pitied her.
Cyran rose and left them.
"The great love may come to you, and then you shall understand," said
Arria to Appius.
"The great madness!" her brother exclaimed. "I like not these Jewish
cattle. The gods forgive me that we have fallen among them. With a
Jew for a pilot we should make a landing in Hades."
Something in his manner alarmed the girl.
"What mean you?" she inquired.
"I will tell you to-morrow," said her brother. "'Tis time you went to
your couch and I to mine. Have no fear."
Now, the young Roman had begun to suspect the pilot of some evil plan.
After the girl had left him he sat drinking wine for hours. Soon he
was in a merry way, singing songs and jesting with all who passed him.
Long after the dark had come, when Tepas only remained upon deck,
Appius reeled up and down, singing, with a flask in his hand. The moon
had risen. Eastward her light lay like hammered silver on the ripples.
Appius neared the tall, rugged form of Tepas.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176