Behind
its iron bars a large lion paced up and down. Two hundred mounted men
of the cohort stood in triple rank some fifty paces from the scene.
Vergilius, on a white charger, was in front of the column.
While Arab slaves pushed the arena into place, David came and touched
the arm of the young tribune. He whispered, eagerly: "My sister, Cyran
the Beloved, is here. She is waiting at the castle."
"Whence came she?" said the tribune, with astonishment.
"From the port of Ascalon, where she arrived by trireme with Appius.
They were wrecked, finding shore in a far country. There the friend of
Caesar, Probus Sulpicius Quirinus, discovered them on his way from
Carthage, and brought them hither."
Appius, fearing Antipater, had waited by the sea while Cyran came to
find her brother and Vergilius. The prince's threat and the words of
Caesar had checked his feet with caution. He forbade Cyran to tell any
one of the presence of Arria.
"And where is my friend?" Vergilius demanded.
"He waits on the ship to hear from you--whether it be safe to come.
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