And what could they do?
Why not act with certainty?
Why expose themselves to destruction and the whole undertaking to failure?
Though Vinicius restrained himself with the greatest effort from seizing Lygia in his arms at once, right there in the cemetery, he felt that the Greek was right, and would have lent ear, perhaps, to his counsels, had it not been for Croton, to whom reward was the question.
"Lord, command that old goat to be silent," said he, "or let me drop my fist on his head.

Once in Buxentum, whither Lucius Saturnius took me to a play, seven drunken gladiators fell on me at an inn, and none of them escaped with sound ribs.

I do not say to take the girl now from the crowd, for they might throw stones before our feet, but once she is at home I will seize her, carry her away, and take her whithersoever thou shalt indicate." Vinicius was pleased to hear those words, and answered,--"Thus let it be, by Hercules! To-morrow we may not find her at home; if we surprise them they will remove the girl surely." "This Lygian seems tremendously strong!" groaned Chilo.
"No one will ask thee to hold his hands," answered Croton.
But they had to wait long yet, and the cocks had begun to crow before dawn when they saw Ursus coming through the gate, and with him Lygia.
They were accompanied by a number of other persons.

It seemed to Chilo that he recognized among them the Great Apostle; next to him walked another old man, considerably lower in stature, two women who were not young, and a boy, who lighted the way with a lantern.

After that handful followed a crowd, about two hundred in number; Vinicius, Chilo, and Croton walked with these people.
"Yes, lord," said Chilo, "thy maiden is under powerful protection.