Nothing was in sight.
"It seems to me," Hirnio again addressed Murmex, "that not only your father was a Nersian, but also Pacideianus and that I have heard that he also was living in retirement at Nersae." "He is yet," rejoined Murmex, laconically.
"Then you know him ?" Hirnio queried.
"My mother," said Murmex, "is his sister." "Your uncle!" cried Hirnio, "son to one of the two greatest retired gladiators in Italy, nephew to the other! Living in the same town with them! Did either of them ever teach you anything of sword play ?" "Both of them," said Murmex, "taught me everything they knew of sword play, from the day I could hold a toy lath sword." "Hercules!" I cried, "and what did they say of your proficiency ?" "My father with his last breath," said Murmex solemnly, "and my uncle Pacideianus as he bade me farewell, told me that I am the best swordsman alive." "Why have you never," I asked, "tried your luck in the arena ?" "My father forbade me," Murmex explained.

"He bade me wait.

He trowed a grown man was worth ten growing lads, and he said so and stuck to that.

On his death-bed he told me I was almost seasoned.

After we buried him I felt I could abide Nersae no longer.