when a squadron--it was commanded by Aruntius--pressed upon the fleet.
I saw another line of galleys steering directly towards us, and a Roman
vessel assailed by one of mine--I had named her the Selene--turn on her
side and sink. This pleased me and seemed like the first presage of
victory. I again ordered Alexas to have the ship's prow turned as soon
as the result of the battle was decided. Ere I had ceased speaking,
Jason, the steward--you know him--appeared with refreshments. I took the
beaker, but, ere I could raise it to my lips, he fell to the deck with a
cloven skull, mingling his blood with the spilled juice of the grape.
My blood seemed fairly to freeze in my veins, and Alexas, trembling and
deadly pale, asked, 'Do you command us to quit the battle?'

"Every fibre of my being urged me to give the order, but I controlled
myself, and asked the nauarch, who was standing on the bridge before me,
'Are we gaining the advantage?' The reply was a positive 'Yes.' I
thought the fitting time had come, and called to him to steer the galley
southward. But the man did not seem to understand. Meanwhile the noise
of the conflict had grown louder and louder. So, in spite of Charmian,
who besought me not to interfere in the battle, I sent Alexas to the
commander on the bridge, and while he talked with the grey-bearded
seaman, who wrathfully answered I know not what, I glanced at the nearest
ship--I no longer knew whether it was friend or foe--and as I saw the
rows of restless oars moving in countless numbers to and fro, it seemed
as if every ship had become a huge spider, and the long wooden handles of
the oars were its legs and feet. Each of these monsters appeared to be
seeking to snare me in a horrible net, and when the nauarch came to
beseech me to wait, I imperiously commanded him to obey my orders.

"The luckless man bowed, and performed his Queen's behest. The giant was
turned, and forced a passage through the maze.