"Thanks," said he, "and I know you are a judge. 'Twas pretty
whilst it lasted; and, seeing that my lads were, for the most,
scurvy-rotten, I will say they fought with credit. I have lost my
Lord Tatho's navy, but I think Phorenice will see me righted there.
If those that are against her took so much trouble to kill my Lord
Deucalion before he could come to her aid, I can fancy she will not
be niggard in her joy when I put Deucalion safe, if somewhat dented
and blood-bespattered, on the quay."

"The Gods know," I said, for it is never my custom to discuss
policies with my inferiors, even though etiquette be for the moment
loosened, as ours was then by the thrill of battle. "The Gods will
decide what is best for you, Tob, even as they have decided that it
is best that I should go on to Atlantis."

The sailor held a horn filled from the wine-skin in his hand,
and I think was minded to pour a libation at my feet, even as I had
done at his. But he changed his mind, and emptied it down his
throat instead. "It is thirsty work, this fighting," he said, "and
that drink comes very useful."

I put my hand on his blood-smeared arm. "Tob," I said,
"whether I step into power again, or whether I go to the block
to-morrow, is another matter which the Gods alone know, but hear me
tell you now, that if a chance is given me of showing my gratitude,
I shall not forget the way you have served me in this voyage, and
the way you have fought this day."

Tob filled another brimming horn from the wine-skin and
splashed it at my feet. "That's good enough surety for me," he