But Mucius Scævola was a wise Consul, and refused to kill a single citizen without a trial. ‘Since the Consul betrays the republic,’ cried Scipio Nasica, ‘I call upon those men to follow me who desire to preserve the laws of our country.’ Then, drawing his toga over his head, Nasica marched against the followers of Gracchus at the head of a band of senators and knights. The people saw the officers of state marching towards them, and stricken with fear they fled, leaving Gracchus, whom they had promised to defend, alone and unprotected. Tiberius hastened toward the temple of Jupiter, thinking that he would find shelter there, but the priest had closed the door. As he turned away he stumbled for the second time that day. But he quickly raised himself, only, however, to be struck brutally on the head by one of his enemies. Before he could recover from the blow, a second stroke ended the life of the unfortunate man. Three hundred of his followers were slain before the tumult ended, and the bodies of the victims were thrown into the Tiber. Gaius begged that he might be allowed to bury his brother, but his request was refused, and the body of Tiberius was also dragged to the river and flung into the tide. Tiberius had paid with his life for his reforms, but he had been successful in wresting the land laws from the patricians, and in shaking the power of the Senate by his appeal to the people. Nor was the law repealed after his death. The place left empty on the committee by the murder of Tiberius was filled by Publius Crassus, the father-in-law of Gaius, and the division of land for the good of the people was slowly carried on. CHAPTER LXXXII THE DEATH OF GAIUS GRACCHUS There were some citizens who did not fear to show their regret for the death of Tiberius Gracchus, and one of these was named Carbo. That the populace was sorry that it had forsaken Gracchus at the critical moment was proved by the sympathy it gave to Carbo, and by its choice of him as their tribune in 131 B.C. Carbo determined to carry on the reforms of Tiberius Gracchus, and his first measure was to try to make it legal for a tribune to be elected for two years in succession. In the Assembly of the people Scipio Africanus opposed this, and also declared that Tiberius was put to death justly for trying to be elected tribune a second time. Ominous mutterings were heard among the crowd at these words. But Scipio was always masterful, and, annoyed at the interruption, he sternly said: ‘Let no man speak to whom Italy is but a stepmother.’ He said this to remind the people that many of them had been conquered by the Romans, and had not even the full rights of citizens. Not to have the full rights of citizenship was a sore point with the Italians, and at so bitter a taunt they grew the more threatening. ‘Do you think,’ added Scipio scornfully, as he noticed their attitude, ‘do you think I fear the men whom I brought here in chains now that they are set free?’