"All the chances are in our favour.

We have numbers, the best position, cavalry, the prestige of victory.

Labienus cannot be mistaken in his estimate of Caesar's men; yet I am afraid, I am almost timorous." "It is but the natural fear lest some slight event dim your excellency's great glory.

Our position is too secure for reverse," remarked Lentulus, soothingly.
"Great glory--" repeated Pompeius, "yes, that makes me afraid.
Remember Ulamhala's words,--they haunt me:-- "'He that is highest shall rise yet higher, He that is second shall utterly fall.' Lentulus, I _know_ Caesar is greater than I!" Before he could continue, Labienus had risen to his feet in the council.
"An oath! an oath, gentlemen!" cried the renegade legate.

"Swear all after me! 'By Jupiter Capitolinus, Optimus, Maximus, I swear not to return from the battle until victorious over Caesar!'" All the council rose.
"We swear!" cried a score of tongues, as though their oath was the lightest thing imaginable.
"Bravely done!" shouted Labienus, while the two Lentuli and Domitius and Scipio and many another scion of the great noble houses joined in the oath.