A cloud had drifted across the sun; there was a moment's gloom.

When the light danced back, Drusus caught Curio's arm with a start.
"Look!" The new sunbeams had glanced on the polished helmet of a soldier standing guard at the farther end of the bridge.
There was only an instant for hesitation.
"Lentulus has foreseen that we must try to escape by this way," said Curio, seriously, but without panic.

"We must go back at once, and try to cross by the wooden bridge below or by some other means." But a great herd of dirty silver-grey Etruscan cattle came over the causeway, and to get ahead of them would have been impracticable without attracting the most unusual attention.

It was now evident enough that there was a considerable guard at the head of the bridge, and to make a rush and overpower it was impossible.

The heavy-uddered cows and snorting, bellowing bulls dragged by with a slow plodding that almost drove Drusus frantic.