Beric the Briton | Page 5

that has made
them rulers over so vast an empire. Find out if you can the secret of
their rule, and study the training by which their soldiers move and fight
as if bound together by a cord, forming massive walls against which we
break ourselves in vain. Heed not their arts, pay no attention to their
luxuries, these did Cunobeline no good, and did not for a day delay the
destruction that fell upon his kingdom. What we need is first a
knowledge of their military tactics, so that we may drive them from the
land; secondly, a knowledge of their laws, that we may rule ourselves
wisely after they have gone. What there is good in the rest may come in
time.
"However kind they may be to you, bear always in mind that you are
but a prisoner among the oppressors of your country, and that though,
for reasons of policy, they may treat you well, yet that they mercilessly
despoil and ill treat your countrymen. Remember too, Beric, that the
Britons, now that Caractacus has been sent a prisoner to Rome, need a
leader, one who is not only brave and valiant in the fight, but who can
teach the people how to march to victory, and can order and rule them
well afterwards. We are part of one of our greatest tribes, and from
among us, if anywhere, such a leader should come.
"I have great hopes of you, Beric. I know that you are brave, for single
handed you slew with an arrow a great wolf the other day; but bravery
is common to all, I do not think that there is a coward in the tribe. I
believe you are intelligent. I consulted the old Druid in the forest last
week, and he prophesied a high destiny for you; and when the
messenger brought the Roman summons for me to deliver you up as a
hostage, it seemed to me that this was of all things the one that would
fit you best for future rule. I am not ambitious for you, Beric. It would
be nought to me if you were king of all the Britons. It is of our country
that I think. We need a great leader, and my prayer to the gods is that
one may be found. If you should be the man so much the better; but if
not, let it be another. Comport yourself among them independently, as
one who will some day be chief of a British tribe, but be not sullen or
obstinate. Mix freely with them, learn their language, gather what are

the laws under which they live, see how they build those wonderful
houses of theirs, watch the soldiers at their exercises, so that when you
return among us you can train the Sarci to fight in a similar manner.
Keep the one purpose always in your mind. Exercise your muscles
daily, for among us no man can lead who is not as strong and as brave
as the best who follow him. Bear yourself so that you shall be in good
favour with all men."
Beric had, to the best of his power, carried out the instructions of his
mother. It was the object of the Romans always to win over their
adversaries if possible, and the boy had no reason to complain of his
treatment. He was placed in the charge of Caius Muro, commander of a
legion, and a slave was at once appointed to teach him Latin. He took
his meals with the scribe and steward of the household, for Caius was
of noble family, of considerable wealth, and his house was one of the
finest in Camalodunum. He was a kindly and just man, and much
beloved by his troops. As soon as Beric had learned the language,
Caius ordered the scribe to teach him the elements of Roman law, and a
decurion was ordered to take him in hand and instruct him in arms.
As Beric was alike eager to study and to exercise in arms, he gained the
approval of both his teachers. Julia, the wife of Caius, a kindly lady,
took a great fancy to the boy. "He will make a fine man, Caius," she
said one day when the boy was fourteen years old. "See how handsome
and strong he is; why, Scipio, the son of the centurion Metellus, is older
by two years, and yet he is less strong than this young Briton."
"They are a fine race, Julia, though in disposition as fierce as wild cats,
and not to be trusted. But the lad is, as you say, strong and nimble. I
marked him practising with the sword the other day against Lucinus,
who is a stout soldier, and the man had