Chapter 3
by Douglas, Lloyd C.That night Marcellus felt he should confide his recent information to Demetrius. In a quiet voice, as they lay in their adjacent bunks, he gave his Corinthian a sketch of the conditions in which they were presently to find themselves, speaking his thoughts as freely as if his slave were jointly responsible for whatever policy might be pursued.
Demetrius had listened in silence throughout the dismaying recital, and when Marcellus had concluded he ventured to remark laconically, ‘My master must command the fort.’
‘Obviously!’ responded Marcellus. ‘That’s what I am commissioned to do! What else, indeed?’ And as there was no immediate reply from the other bunk, he added, testily, ‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, sir, if the garrison is unruly and disorderly, my master will exact obedience. It is not for his slave to suggest how this may be accomplished; but it will be safer for my master if he takes full command of the fort instantly—and firmly!’
Marcellus raised himself on one elbow and searched the Greek’s eyes in the gloom of the stuffy cabin.
‘I see what you have in mind, Demetrius. Now that we know the temper of this place, you think the new Legate should not bother about making himself agreeable, but should swagger in and crack a few heads without waiting for formal introductions.’
‘Something like that,’ approved Demetrius.
‘Give them some strong medicine, eh? Is that your idea?’
‘When one picks up a nettle, sir, one should not grasp it gently. Perhaps these idle men would be pleased to obey a commander as well-favoured and fearless as my master.’
‘Your words are gracious, Demetrius.’
‘Almost any man, sir, values justice and courage. My master is just—and my master is also bold.’
‘That’s how your master got into this predicament, Demetrius,’ chuckled Marcellus ironically, ‘by being bold.’
Apparently unwilling to discuss that unhappy circumstance, but wanting to support his end of the conversation, Demetrius said, ‘Yes, sir,’ so soberly that Marcellus laughed. Afterwards there was such a long hiatus that it was probable the Corinthian had dropped off to sleep, for the lazy roll of the little ship was an urgent sedative. Marcellus lay awake for an hour, consolidating the plan suggested by his shrewd and loyal Greek. Demetrius, he reflected, is right. If I am to command this fort at all, I must command it from the moment of my arrival. If they strike me down my exit will be at least honourable.
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