If you should wish to
drink the health of our--our captive, it is at your service."
Then taking Miriam by the hand he led her into the eating-tent, still
grumbling at the soldiers, who for their part laughed and sent for the
wine. They knew their captain's temper, who had served with them through
many a fight, and knew also that this crazed Pearl-Maiden whom he saved
had twined herself into his heart, as was her fortune with most men of
those among whom from time to time fate drove her to seek shelter.
In the tent Miriam found two places set, one for herself and one for the
captain Gallus.
"Don't talk to me," he said, "but sit down and eat, for little enough
you have swallowed all the time you were sick, and we sail to-morrow
evening at the latest, after which, unless you differ from most women,
little enough will you swallow on these winter seas until it pleases
whatever god we worship to bring us to the coasts of Italy. Now here are
oysters brought by runner from Sidon, and I command that you eat six of
them before you say a word."
So Miriam ate the oysters obediently, and after the oysters, fish,
and after the fish the breast of a woodcock. But from the autumn lamb,
roasted whole, which followed, she was forced to turn.
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