"Study them well," said Ben Ezra, and the centurion rode slowly around the motionless body of Saxons.
"Would I might slay him!" muttered Knud the Bear, but none heard.
"He is a fine mark!" whispered Wulf the Skater. "I could spear him off his horse. But the jarl is cunning."
"Cease," said Tostig the Red. "The legionaries are twoscore and we are weary."
"O thou," said Julius to Ulric, discovering that he was the captain, "thou art a tall one."
"He understandeth Latin," said Ben Ezra. "He is not new, as are the others."
"He looketh a tried swordsman," said Julius, for one soldier judgeth easily another. "Saxon, thou wilt win sesterces at Tiberias, but thou wilt lose some of thy company."
"Not unless ye have better swords than any we have met," replied Ulric.
"Truly!" exclaimed Julius, "this is a deep trick of Caius. He will get no foolish wagers from me. But thou, O Saxon, thou wilt have a Numidian lion to fight, and he is larger than any Syrian beast. What sayest thou to that? Canst thou meet him?"
"Judge thou of that when thou seest him before me," said Ulric. "I would gladly meet thy lion if he is a strong one."
"Hard fighters are the Saxons," said Julius. "I will give thy big Hercules a tiger."
He pointed at Sigurd, and the sea king's face flushed hotly, but he was silent.
"O Jew," said the centurion, "obey thou Caius lest thou get the scourge. Enter not Jezreel. Show not thy gladiators to any. Tell not any man that I have seen them and I will give thee ten sesterces. If thou tellest, I will reward thee otherwise. Go on a little. Camp in the old tower by the highway from Galilee. It hath now no garrison. Thy Saxon wolves are guard enough against jackals and robbers."
"I obey thee, O noble Julius," said Ben Ezra. "Thou wilt answer for us if we are inquired of concerning this tower?"
"I will acquit thee," replied the centurion, and he rode away followed by his own company.
All that had been spoken was now interpreted to the Saxons, and it seemed to them as if a good jest had been made of this Roman. They were glad, also, of a sure camping place, and they marched on in the twilight; but the Jew purchased for them two fat sheep and a skin of wine at a place which they passed in going. Then came they to the empty tower at the highway from Galilee, but when they halted Ben Ezra would allow none to enter until he had kindled a flame and had made torches.