Those who were doomed to die rolled their heads about gently; others dragged themselves along and brought them drink.

The sentries walked up and down along the narrow paths in order to warm themselves, or stood in a fierce attitude with their faces turned towards the horizon, and their pikes on their shoulders.

Matho found Spendius sheltered beneath a rag of canvas, supported by two sticks set in the ground, his knee in his hands and his head cast down.
They remained for a long time without speaking.
At last Matho murmured: "Conquered!" Spendius rejoined in a gloomy voice: "Yes, conquered!" And to all questions he replied by gestures of despair.
Meanwhile sighs and death-rattles reached them.

Matho partially opened the canvas.

Then the sight of the soldiers reminded him of another disaster on the same spot, and he ground his teeth: "Wretch! once already--" Spendius interrupted him: "You were not there either." "It is a curse!" exclaimed Matho.