EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
floor, resigned in the face of von Harben’s argument, and he covered her over with the rags that had been a beggar’s bed.
Chapter Twenty-three
By the time that Cassius Hasta had disposed his forces and placed his engines of war before the defenses of Castrum Mare, he discovered that it was too dark to open his assault that day, but he could carry out another plan that he had and so he advanced toward the gate, accompanied by Tarzan, Metellus, and Praeclarus and preceded by torch-bearers and a legionary bearing a flag of truce.
Within the fort great excitement had reigned from the moment that the advancing troops had been sighted. Word had been sent to Fulvus Fupus and reënforcements had been hurried to the fort. It was assumed by all that Sublatus had inaugurated a new raid upon a larger scale than usual, but they were ready to meet it, nor did they anticipate defeat. As the officer commanding the defenders saw the party approaching with a flag of truce, he demanded from a tower gate the nature of their mission.
“I have two demands to make upon Validus Augustus,” said Cassius Hasta. “One is that he free Mallius Lepus and Erich von Harben and the other is that he permit me to return to Castrum Mare and enjoy the privileges of my station.”
“Who are you?” demanded the officer.
“I am Cassius Hasta. You should know me well.”
“The gods are good!” cried the officer.
“Long live Cassius Hasta! Down with Fulvus Fupus!” cried a hoarse chorus of rough voices.
Someone threw open the gates, and the officer, an old friend of Cassius Hasta, rushed out and embraced him.
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