Antipater pulled away. Again the Roman was upon his enemy and the two
struggled to the very noses of the cohort. Hard by the centre of the
column, where sat Vergilius on his charger, the powerful prince threw
his adversary, and, choking him down, secured the net over his head.
Swiftly he began to drag the fallen youth. Vergilius, angered by the
prince's cruelty, could no longer hold his peace.
"'Tis unfair," said he, pointing at Antipater. "In the name of the
fatherly Augustus, I protest."
The prince, still dragging his foe, answered with insulting threats.
The young commander leaped from his horse and ran to the side of
Antipater. The latter released his captive and drew sword. Swiftly
Vergilius approached him and the two met with a clash of steel.
Now the first battle in that war of the spirit, which was to shake the
world with fury had begun.
Back and forth across the court of Herod they fought their way--the son
of light and the son of darkness. Sparks of fire flew from their
weapons while a murmur in the cohort grew to a loud roar and the old
king and his women stood with hands uplifted shrieking like fiends of
hell.
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