Sept.
"Caesar hath good report of Quintus Arrius, the tribune.

In particular he bath heard of his valor, manifested in the western seas, insomuch that it is his will that the said Quintus be transferred instantly to the East.
"It is our Caesar's will, further, that you cause a hundred triremes, of the first class, and full appointment, to be despatched without delay against the pirates who have appeared in the Aegean, and that Quintus be sent to command the fleet so despatched.
"Details are thine, my Caecilius.
"The necessity is urgent, as thou will be advised by the reports enclosed for thy perusal and the information of the said Quintus.
"SEJANUS." Arrius gave little heed to the reading.

As the ship drew more plainly out of the perspective, she became more and more an attraction to him.
The look with which he watched her was that of an enthusiast.

At length he tossed the loosened folds of his toga in the air; in reply to the signal, over the aplustre, or fan-like fixture at the stern of the vessel, a scarlet flag was displayed; while several sailors appeared upon the bulwarks, and swung themselves hand over hand up the ropes to the antenna, or yard, and furled the sail.

The bow was put round, and the time of the oars increased one half; so that at racing speed she bore down directly towards him and his friends.
He observed the manoeuvring with a perceptible brightening of the eyes.