Emma Orczy

"Unto Caesar" Emma Orczy

As the day wore on, trade became more brisk and the work of the lictors more arduous, forthe crowd was dense and the bargain-hunters eager to push to the front. Now a bronze-skinned artisan with slender limbs and narrow tapering hands wasattracting attention. He was standing on the platform, passive and indifferent, apparentlyunconscious alike of the scorching sun which bit into his bare flesh, as of the murmurs ofthe dealers round him and the eloquence of the African up on the rostrum, who wasshouting himself hoarse in praise of his wares."A leather worker from Hispania," he thundered with persuasive rhetoric, "his age but twodozen years, his skill unequalled on either bank of the Tiber ... A tunic worked by him issofter than the fleeciest wool, and the sheath of a dagger becomes in his hands as hard assteel.... Good health and strength, two thousand sesterces were a poor price to pay for theuse of these skilled hands.... Two thousand sesterces.... His lordship's grace, the censorArminius Quirinius paid four thousand for him...."He paused a moment whilst a couple of Jews from Galilee, in long dark robes and black capscovering their shaggy hair, turned critically round this paragon from Hispania, lifted hishands and gazed on each finger-tip as if trying to find traces on these of that much-vauntedskill."Two thousand sesterces, kind sirs, and you will have at your disposal the talent of a masterin the noble art of leather working; pouches and coverings for your chairs, caskets andsword-hilts, nothing comes amiss to him.... Come! shall we say two thousand sesterces?"The Jews were hesitating. With a rapid glance of their keen, deep-set eyes they consultedone with the other, whilst their long bony fingers wandered hesitatingly to the wallets attheir belts."Two thousand sesterces!" urged the auctioneer, as he looked with marked severity on thewaverers. He himself received a percentage on the proceeds of the sale, a few sesterces mayhap thatwould go to swell the little hoard which ultimately would purchase freedom. The scribesstilet in hand waited in patient silence. The praefect, indifferent to the whole transaction, was staring straight in front of him, like one whose thoughts are strangers to his will."One thousand we'll give," said one of the Jews timidly