"Keep up a good heart, lad," he said. "You won't be long here alone in the
dark, and you'll soon be as coddled and pampered as a man can be. Long
life to you and good luck and may you be soon married and raise a fine
family. Peace of mind and prosperity to you and yours and a green old age
to you!"
And he climbed the rope, hand over hand, like the best sailor on Libo's
yacht.
CHAPTER XL
SEVERUS
Not many hours later, I, sleeping soundly in the straw, was wakened by the
raising of the trap-door. Again a rope was let down. This time two of the
Executioner's helpers slid down the dangling rope. They addressed me most
deferentially and asked permission to prepare me to be hauled up,
thereupon adjusting the ropes about me.
In the upper chamber of the prison I was rubbed down and clothed in the
best sort of tunic, shod with the ceremonial boots of a nobleman and
wrapped in a nobleman's outer garments. Then I was led off to the nearest
point to which a litter may approach the Mamertine Prison. The brilliant
sunrays blinded me and the sight of Rome in the glory of a mellow July
afternoon brought the tears to my eyes and made me gulp and swallow. But
the tears did not blind me too much to recognize Imperial liveries on the
litter-bearers and runners and intendant.
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