It is not much farther by the other road." "Anyhow," I added, "Martius is not in sight.

He was to have been here before us.

If we went this way we should have to wait for him.

If we go the other we shall most likely meet him at the fork of the road." We turned to our right towards Villa Vedia and Vediamnum.

About half way to the entrance to Villa Vedia, at the top of the hill between the two bridges, the rain for a brief interval fairly cascaded from the sky.
During this temporary downpour, as we splashed along, we saw loom out of the rain, fog and mist the outline of what might have been an equestrian statue, but which, as we drew up to it, we found a horse and rider, stationary and motionless to the south of the road, on a tiny knoll, facing the road and so close to it that I might have put out my right hand and touched the horse's nose as we passed.
Like everyone in our convoy the rider was enveloped in a rain-cloak and his head and face hidden under a wide-brimmed umbrella hat.