CHAPTER II.
The tribune, standing upon the helmsman's deck with the order of the duumvir open in his hand, spoke to the chief of the rowers.[1] [1] Called hortator.
"What force hast thou ?" "Of oarsmen, two hundred and fifty-two; ten supernumeraries.
"Making reliefs of--" "Eighty-four." "And thy habit ?" "It has been to take off and put on every two hours." The tribune mused a moment.
"The division is hard, and I will reform it, but not now.

The oars may not rest day or night." Then to the sailing-master he said, "The wind is fair.

Let the sail help the oars." When the two thus addressed were gone, he turned to the chief pilot.[2] [2] Called rector.
"What service hast thou had ?" "Two-and-thirty years." "In what seas chiefly ?" "Between our Rome and the East." "Thou art the man I would have chosen." The tribune looked at his orders again.
"Past the Camponellan cape, the course will be to Messina.
Beyond that, follow the bend of the Calabrian shore till Melito is on thy left, then-- Knowest thou the stars that govern in the Ionian Sea ?" "I know them well." "Then from Melito course eastward for Cythera.

The gods willing, I will not anchor until in the Bay of Antemona.

The duty is urgent.
I rely upon thee." A prudent man was Arrius--prudent, and of the class which, while enriching the altars at Praeneste and Antium, was of opinion, nevertheless, that the favor of the blind goddess depended more upon the votary's care and judgment than upon his gifts and vows.