“My lord,” he said, “you are my prisoner. If you will swear to me not to attempt to escape, nor to lay violent hands upon yourself, I will take the risk of leaving you unfettered. This one, however, I must put in chains, and if you have any influence over him, advise him that he had better submit quietly.” “Never!” roared Thrax Barbatus, flourishing his short sword. “Let us fight, my brethren--fight, and die fighting. The martyr’s crown awaits not those alone who suffer, but those who fight too.” “Cease!” said old Calenus. “Who dares to speak so blasphemously here? Will you sin as Peter sinned in the garden of Gethsemane? Will you shed your brother’s blood like Cain? Woe unto ye blind! Not thus may ye win Heaven, but eternal punishment!” The blind man’s words, spoken in a sort of prophetic exaltation, made a deep impression. Those who a moment since had stood forth in defiance, now bent their heads. Thrax Barbatus alone stood his ground. “Do you think,” he shouted in a voice of thunder, “that the Son of God, who lashed the dealers and money-changers out of the Temple with a scourge, was a lamb? He was a lion, that only force could overcome! The Saviour preached to slaves, that their lives and their rights are as precious as those of their tyrants! He, who breaks the chains of the prisoner, will have nothing to say to cowards and fools. Glauce, come close to me--your tender body shall never be meat for the lions of Gaetulia! Pray, Glauce--pray.--And may the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon us!” He held the girl tightly clasped in his arms. “Give yourselves up to the inscrutable counsels of God!” said the solemn, prophetic voice of the blind man. “Amen,” rose from the lips of the congregation. “Put them in chains,” the centurion said. But Quintus, with calm dignity, requested a hearing. “One word,” he said, turning to the centurion. “That scurvy slave has misled you. I swear to you on my honor, centurion, this nocturnal surprise was only intended for me. Here I am, take me with you! I will follow you; carry me in chains to the city, and you may be perfectly certain, that you have all the prey you need show. But these poor wretches, who stand here trembling as to their fate--let them go free; let them go on their way unhindered. They only came here to see for the last time the halls where they have, until now, celebrated the rites of their faith. They have no intention of defying the law.” “Who is there here that will deny his Saviour?” Again it was the blind prophet that spoke. “We are faithful to confess Christ crucified. His name be praised and blessed forever!” Quintus was silent, and a shade of deep trouble fell on his face. “Well, then,” he said, turning away, “do your duty.”