At first the decemvirs tried to please the people. They worked hard to reform the laws, and before their year of office came to an end, ten of the twelve tables had been revised. It was determined that the decemvirs should be re-elected for the following year that they might finish the code of laws which they had begun. But Appius Claudius, who had been the chief among the first year’s decemvirs, was not satisfied that this should be so, and he saw to it that more plebeians should be elected among the second year’s decemvirs. He hoped by doing this to persuade the people that he was their friend, but before long it appeared that he was a true friend to neither patrician nor plebeian. The new decemvirs, with Appius Claudius at their head, soon struck dismay into the hearts of the people by going to the Forum, with a band of one hundred and twenty lictors. The lictors carried with them not only rods, but, as in earlier days, axes were concealed among the rods, which was a sign that the decemvirs had power over life and death. Nor did the decemvirs scruple to use their power, banishing or putting to death those who displeased or opposed them, and seizing their property for themselves. When their year of office was nearly ended, the decemvirs had not finished the code of laws as they were expected to have done. It was soon plain why they had seen no reason for haste, for, when the year came to an end, the decemvirs refused to resign. Both patricians and plebeians were indignant, while the Senate, angry that the decemvirs did not consult it, had already, for the most part, left Rome. To add to the confusion in the country, war now broke out with the Sabines and the Æquians. One of the Roman armies was to be led by a plebeian tribune, who was loved by the people, for he had fought for his country in one hundred and twenty battles. On his way to join his army, this brave soldier was murdered, it was said by the order of Appius Claudius. The soldiers were furious at the loss of their leader, and the hatred against the chief of the decemvirs increased each day. CHAPTER XXX THE DEATH OF VERGINIA Appius Claudius did not go to the war. He stayed in Rome, and before long roused the temper of the people beyond control. Verginius, a brave plebeian soldier, was with the army, and in his absence he had left his beautiful young daughter Verginia in the care of her nurse. One day as the young girl was on her way to school in the Forum, Appius Claudius saw how beautiful she was, and he determined to take her away from her father and Icilius, to whom she was betrothed. But although he did his utmost to persuade the maiden to go home with him, Verginia refused to leave her father’s house. Then Appius Claudius grew angry, and vowed to himself that he would take her away by foul means, since fair ones had failed.