Cracis

"Cracis," said the boy, drawing himself up proudly, as if he felt it an honour to speak of such a man.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

"Ah!" cried the old soldier, as, when he had nearly finished, he drew out from the bottom of the chest the smallest of the shields and pitched it so that it fell upon Cracis 'pillow, suggesting to Marcus that the man meant that it should lie there in his master's absence and sleep; but Serge saw nothing of Marcus' agitated countenance, for he was gazing into the future.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

"Here we are," he cried, as he lifted out his own and Cracis 'shields together, to stand them up on edge so that he could separate them, for the loops and handles were tightly wedged together so that they seemed loth to come apart.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

Cracis was silent for a few minutes, and his voice sounded different when he spoke again.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

Cracis was silent as he shook his head slowly and turned his eyes away from his visitor, to let them rest upon his son's upturned face, as the boy gazed at him in wonder and astonishment at what he heard.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

A very good, true fellow, Cracis, and, as I said, we were once great friends.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

"Speak out, my son, boldly and bravely," said Cracis.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

"And now," said Cracis, coldly, "you have found out the truth and have tracked me to my home to accuse me with some base invention to my son."

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

Cracis was silent for a few moments, gazing searchingly into his visitor's eyes, which met his frankly and without blenching.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870

"Why was this, sir?" cried Cracis sternly to his old servant.

Marcus: the Young Centurion George Manville Fenn 1870