Now the fighting having ceased for a while, the soldiers of both sides
amused themselves with shouting taunts and insults at each other, or
challenges to single combat. Presently Caleb stepped forward from the
shelter of a wall and called out that if the Prefect Marcus would meet
him alone in the open space he had something to say which he would be
glad to hear. Thereupon Marcus, stepping out from his defences, where
several of his officers seemed to be striving to detain him, answered:
"I will come," and walked to the centre of the market, where he was met
by Caleb.
Here the two of them spoke together alone, but of what they said Miriam
and Nehushta, watching them from above, could catch no word.
"Oh! will they fight?" said Miriam.
"It seems likely, since each of them has sworn to slay the other,"
answered Nehushta.
While she spoke Marcus, shaking his head as though to decline some
proposal, and pointing to the men of his command, who stood up watching
him, turned to walk back to his own lines, followed by Caleb, who
shouted out that he was a coward and did not dare to stand alone before
him. At this insult Marcus winced, then went on again, doubtless because
he thought it his duty to rejoin his company, whereon Caleb, drawing
his sword, struck him with the flat of it across the back.
Pages:
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274