Neæra: A Tale of Ancient Rome

by Joel Chandler Harris

  CHAPTER V.

  From the house of Apicius and the spectacle of his sudden and awful endSejanus had first gone to the modest abode of Domitius Afer. There theyremained closeted by themselves, engaged in earnest conversation, untilshortly before the meeting of the Prefect and his officer, as described.

  Previous to this Afer had quietly sent off a message to Cestus by theGreek Erotion. That astute youth threaded the inmost haunts and foulintricacies of the Subura with sure confidence, and succeeded indiscovering the object of his search, deluged with wine, and revelling inthe heat of a brutal orgy, amid ruffians and women of the lowest type.Assailed by the obscene chorus of this satanic crew, the Greek, with thereadiness and aptness of his race, exchanged witticisms with a fluency andsmartness which equalled, if not exceeded, their own. Seizing anopportunity, he whispered into the ear of the intoxicated Cestus theinstruction to meet his master in the gardens of Maecenas, on thefollowing morning, at a particular spot, at a particular hour. The fellow,with a leer, nodded and agreed, and the young slave departed to report theresult of his errand.

  The gardens of Maecenas were on the north-eastern side of the Esquiline,nor must the term gardens be accepted in the modern sense; for, to supposethat they were ornamental grounds, and duly kept in order by a staff ofservants, would be misleading. They seemed to be, and there were many suchin Rome, open places for the common recreation and airings of thepopulace. These, to which Afer repaired to keep his appointment withCestus, had been formed by the celebrated patron of literature and art,upon ground which, hitherto, had held bad repute, as the burial-place ofthe lowest orders of the people. It seems, even, to have been no uncommonmatter for the bodies to be thrown down and left without any covering ofearth whatever. To clear this charnel ground, and change it from a horridrepository of mouldering bones and putrefying flesh into a pleasant loungefor the people, was one of the generous works of Maecenas. It lay outside,and adjoining, the ring wall of Servius, and we may conclude the place wasnot altogether denuded of its sepulchral memories, since it was here thatCanidia, the witch of Horace, came to perform her incantations, and invokethe shades of the dead amongst the tombs.

  Though this particular part without the wall had the most need ofpurifying measures, and bore the most infamous memories, it did not formthe whole extent of the gardens. They extended within the wall, for acertain distance along the hill, toward the city. Near this extremity wassituated the noble mansion of Maecenas himself, commanding a fine prospectof the city from its windows.

  Past this dwelling, and at every step treading on ground so often pressedby the famous Roman poet and his patron, Afer took his way to await thearrival of Cestus. He passed through the Esquiline Gate of the hugerampart of Servius, and entered the outer portion of the gardens. It wasthe busy time of labour, and the morning itself was somewhat raw andchilly, so that very few individuals were to be seen scattered here andthere over the open park. The few who did loiter about were of the classthat honest labour could well spare.

  In the portion of this large tract which had been devoted to the burial ofthe dead, were still many tombs scattered up and down. They were grass-grown, neglected, weather-beaten, and still more defaced by the climbings,scramblings, and mischievous peltings of children and youths. Among themwas one of larger size and more pretentious appearance than any other. Itwas circular in shape, and constructed of massive masonry, which defiedall attempts at destruction. It bore no inscription, and was conspicuousfor nothing but its superior bulk. There was a tradition among the peopleof the neighbourhood, that it marked the spot where an erring scion of anoble house had sunk so low as to meet death and burial as a commonmalefactor, in days past when the place was reserved for the wretched fateof the dregs of pauperism and crime. Though disowned by his outragedfamily during his depraved life, the death of the reprobate aroused theinextinguishable feelings of kinship. Family pride could not leave eventhis dishonoured member without some mark of attention due to his birth,if to nothing else; but no chisel was suffered to raise a letter or figureon the tomb which arose. Darkness and oblivion were the fittest shrouds ofdisgrace, and the muteness of the masonry lent a mysterious affirmation ofthe legend to the minds of posterity.

  It was to this prominent object the knight bent his way across the park-like gardens in the raw morning air. With many backward glances in searchof the yet invisible Cestus, he finally reached the mysterious, moss-grownpile of stones, and after pacing up and down the grass for some time, withfitful and angry mutterings on the laggard's account, he began to think ofreturning. Stray passengers came and went, with a solitary, melancholyair, across the bleak, empty track, but still no form answering to thepowerful frame of the Suburan made its appearance.

  'The drunken fool has either not slept off his debauch or else not endedit,' said Afer angrily to himself, turning his eyes for the twentieth timetoward the Esquiline Gate. 'A fine thing if I am to wait in the damp grassfor a vagabond; I'll go back: maybe I shall meet him on the way.'

  The expectation was realised. He had only gone a very short distance whenhis eyes were gladdened by the expected figure of the Suburan, who came upbreathing hurriedly. Afer surveyed his bloodshot eyes and disordereddress, his uncombed locks, and general hang-dog, not to say ferocious,aspect, with which a night of revelry, succeeded by very brief slumbers,had endowed him.

  'Good-morrow!' said the knight, in reply to salutations and apologies. 'Iperceive you have succeeded in appeasing your ravenous appetite, myCestus--I see it in your face. You have also drunk wine to aid digestion,which has probably interfered with your sleep.'

  'It is the danger of the ravenous stomach that it overloads itself when itgets the opportunity,' replied Cestus, with a grin and a hiccough.

  'You are drunk yet, my good fellow!' proceeded the knight calmly.

  'Nay, patron, I am sober enough to walk steadily and keep a secret.Besides, I found that the aediles, or the gods, have caused the fountainof Orpheus to play again this morning; so that, when I passed it just now,I dipped my head into his clear basin, which makes me as fresh as a younggirl meeting sunrise.'

  'You have that appearance. Did you accept the renewed flow of the fountainthis morning as a favourable omen, reversing that of yesterday?'

  'I never thought of it in one way or another, patron. I was in too greathaste and concern lest I should keep your worship waiting.'

  'You are very considerate! Taking the circumstances of your case intoaccount, I am of the opinion that you have carried out this appointmentwith remarkable credit. Do you know why I have brought you here?'

  'Something which needs only two pairs of ears,' said Cestus, with a swiftglance around at the deserted fields.

  'Shrewd as ever, Cestus! I mean to unfold a plan by which we may both makeour fortunes. Am I to rely on your perfect faith, secrecy, and promptnessas before?'

  'Patron, you are the cleverest man in Rome, and I would not quit you toserve the greatest. Whenever you call upon me to help you I comeinstanter, knowing that the business will be something clever andinstructive. The pleasure of serving you, therefore, has as much weightwith me as the pay--it has indeed.'

  'The fluency and readiness of your language will never leave you; it isthe admirable fruit of your residence with a poet. It has already been ofimmense service to you; but for the present it will be sufficient for youto be brief and to the point. I wish to know if you are prepared to carryout my wishes, even though they may incur some desperate action, which, ifdiscovered, would end most certainly in the executioner's axe?'

  'I should like to hear more particulars, patron--I would be pleased to doanything with a fair show of safety; but, at the same time, I have nodesire to be a bull-headed fool.'

  'I think, with ordinary precautions, there will be not much danger. Thestreets of the city are, at night-time, as a rule, dark and secret enoughfor a thrust or two, and an easy departure before the watch decides tointerfere.'

  'Oh, if that is all, I make no do
ubt but that we shall soon come toterms,' said Cestus, with a sinister smile on his bristly lips. 'Is itdesired of me to meet by chance, or to escort some friend of my noblepatron home----?'

  'To Hades!'

  'Exactly,' rejoined the Suburan, grinning.

  'Concerning your reward, I shall require you to name a lump sum, and topromise, thereafter, to trouble me no more.'

  'That means dismissing me from your worship's employ.'

  'I shall never lose sight of you, believe me,' said the knight, with acold smile.

  'I know your goodness has always been most anxious for my welfare,'returned Cestus ironically.

  'What figure would you consider sufficient to reward you for the pangs ofconscience, and the risks incurred, by ending the life of a respectablemember of society?'

  'The pay would vary according to the possible amount of hue and cry raisedby those belonging to the deceased,' said Cestus cunningly. 'For anordinary citizen I would not demand so much as for a person of rank andimportance.'

  Afer smiled.

  'To what degree of boldness would five hundred sestertia inspire you?' heasked calmly.

  'What!' almost yelled the ruffian. His eyes stared as if to start from hishead, and his breath came in gasps, as though he had been plunged intoice-cold water. 'Five hu-- five hundred sestertia! Patron--why--for that youmight bid me tap a senator, a consul--Sejanus--Caesar himself.'

  'Enough!' replied Afer. 'I am glad you consider the terms liberal; Imyself am sure of it. You will not have the desperate office of harmingany one of those you have mentioned.'

  'So much the better! Patron, you are the easiest of masters.'

  'It is a bargain then--you will be prompt, faithful, and secret?'

  'Have I ever failed?'

  'I cannot remember that you have; it is to your interest, as to mine, toremain so trustworthy. I have told you that before, and your common-sensecannot but perceive it. Five hundred sestertia are not to be picked upevery day for the light labour of a few hours, together with the simpletask of keeping one's mouth shut concerning the matter. You are not such afool, I think, as to destroy a profitable business connection, Cestus.'

  'You speak truly indeed, noble Afer--have no fear therefore. I am ready toreceive your commands and instructions for the business.'

  'The first is this,' said the knight emphatically, 'that from the firstmoment, until the affair is satisfactorily settled, you abstain from thewine-pot.'

  'I will swear by the aqueducts, patron.'

  'Good! You will require, say, three stout fellows to help you. You willselect them and pay them a certain sum, and tell them no more than thatthey are to help in a highway theft. You can, no doubt, find individualswho are accustomed to such work.'

  'Leave that to me. But their pay, patron?'

  'It shall be exclusive of your own, and shall be discharged by me, mycareful Cestus. They need not cost much.'

  'Certainly not! I have a job in hand--I want them to help me, and I paythem so much. I need not say another word, and they will not ask aquestion.'

  'Exactly! You comprehend me perfectly. It is a positive pleasure toarrange details with an intelligent person like yourself, Cestus.'

  'You are flattering, patron. Who is this individual who is so unfortunateas to stand in your displeasure?'

  'I repeat it is a pleasure to do business with you, Cestus,' resumed Afercalmly. 'Previous to the actual execution of your task, I shall requireyou to act a little part. I shall require you, in fact, to clean and adornyourself in order to make a visit.'

  'Oh, oh!' murmured Cestus doubtfully.

  'You are to be a decoy duck of the very best plumage, for a short time.You will make an excellent one. Your poetical training will stand inexcellent stead. Indeed, there is no telling, but what the part will givea new turn to your genius. We shall be seeing you treading the stage someday.'

  'You are pleased to jest, noble patron, instead of allowing me to reflectwhether this part of the business is within my power or not to carry out.'

  'I have no anxiety on that point, Cestus. Listen! You will have to improveyour outward appearance, in order to represent an honest mechanic in hisholiday clothes--that is, as nearly as possible. That done, you will haveto go as far as the Janiculum and ask an audience of a certain patricianwho dwells there. He had once a granddaughter who was lost when a child.'

  'Ah, now I smell a rat! You are going to outdo yourself,' cried Cestuseagerly.

  'You understand, I perceive. You are merely to go to this gentleman with astory, told in your best language and style, that you are a messenger froma repentant man on his deathbed, who confesses that he formerly stole thechild. The dying man is most anxious for an interview with the gentlemanhe has wronged, for the purpose of imploring his pardon and revealing thewhereabouts and position of the girl, who, he says, is yet living. Whenyou have succeeded in arousing the gentleman's interest and eagerness, asyou doubtless will, he will almost surely send you to me. I shall not bein Rome, and shall be careful to let him know beforehand. He will,therefore, recollect himself, and, as we may hope, decide to accompany youto this dying man. All this must be timed to fall tolerably late at night,which will also give the affair all the more appearance of genuineness. Onthe way to that dying man my worthy uncle must be left by the roadside,for ever oblivious of missing child and present grief.'

  'By Pluto!' cried the Suburan, smiting his thigh in delight andadmiration, 'the very thing I advised you only yesterday. I marvel youhave not done this before; but then your worship is so merciful. However,better late than never, and it was bound to come at some time. Bacchus,what a cunning plan! Fate cut you out for a great man, and a thousandFabricii could not stay you.'

  'No names--walls have ears!' said the knight sternly.

  'True,' replied Cestus. 'It was my delight which let it slip. _Euge_,Cestus! Five hundred sestertia for simply helping an old man on the roadto the Elysian fields--why, patron, the pay is so princely, and the task solight, that I feel somewhat ashamed of accepting the terms.'

  'You are perfectly at liberty to return whatever your conscience considersto be superfluous,' remarked Afer.

  'Well, we will see how matters turn out,' answered Cestus, with a grin.'No doubt when the sad news is brought to your wondering ears, you will bein a dreadful state of mind, and will lay the bloodhounds on the track ofthe villains all over the city?'

  'It may, very probably, be necessary to act in some such way,' respondedthe knight, with a shadowy smile. 'Let me see,' he murmured, as he passedhis hand over his brow, and remained in deep thought for a few moments;'come to-night, and we will arrange everything.'

  'To-night!'

  'And, Cestus, be secret; and beware of the wine-pot.'

  'Never fear; it is only when Cestus is idle that he amuses himself in thatway. Give him work, and work to some purpose, like this, and his headremains clear as water--and when your honour lays the plan there is no moreto be added.'

  'Engage your comrades to-day. To-morrow I shall go to Tibur--the day afterto-morrow meet me at the Sublician Bridge at nightfall.'

  'But I shall see you to-night, as you said?'

  'Yes; and on the evening of the day after to-morrow I will be at theSublician Bridge. It will involve much riding, but I can be nigh you andyet return to Tivoli before morning breaks.'

  Cestus held up his hands in affected admiration.

  'You are inspired, patron! But hold; how if the old man will not comeforth with me? What then comes of all this fine scheme?'

  'Nothing,' replied Afer calmly. 'We shall have to wait and devise again.'

  'I care not for this complicated notion. I prefer to have not so manycooks to the broth. There is nothing so sure, and so easy, as a littledust of a certain kind in his wine or meat.'

  The knight shook his head.

  'It is too effective, my Cestus, and too common. It would not fail to betalked about. No; our rough footpads leave the least suspicion.'

  'Well, you are perhaps righ
t; for when the watchmen find the old man inthe gutter next morning, it will be said that he met his end at the handsof thieves, who gave him a knock a little too heavy--not the first sincethis good city was built.'

  Afer nodded and said,

  'Come to-night, as I bade you.'

  'I will. Am I not to have the honour of following you toward the city?'

  'No,' replied the knight, turning away; 'I go to the camp. Bediscreet--this will make us or mar us.'

  Cestus bowed and loitered away leisurely in the direction of the EsquilineGate, whilst Afer walked quickly toward the Viminal Plain, on the borderof which lay the ramparts of the Pretorian camp.