"There is nothing in victory more sweet," says Cicero, "no evidence more sure, than to see those whom you did fear, but have now got the better of, brought out to tortures or death."[132] Verres is so much frightened by the resolution of the citizens that he does not dare to neglect their wishes.

There are lying in the prisons of Syracuse a lot of prisoners, Roman citizens, of whom he is glad to rid himself.

He has them brought out, with their heads wrapped up so that they shall not be known, and has them beheaded instead of the pirates! A great deal is said, too, about the pirate captain--the arch-pirate, as he is called.

There seems to have been some money dealings personally between him and Verres, on account of which Verres kept him hidden.

At any rate, the arch-pirate was saved.