"Roads by Seabury Quinn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Quinn Seabury)

centurion agreed.
The Procurator laughed. "None knows it better than
thyself, my Claudius. Thou wert here among them aforetimes,
in the days of the great Herod, I've been told. How comes it
that thou'rt here again? Dost like the odor of this sacred city
of the Hebrews?"
The bearded soldier smiled sardonically. "I served King
Herod as a gladiator a tricennium ago," he answered. "When
my period of service was expired I found myself without a
scar or wound, and with a wallet stuffed with gold. I told the
praetor I would fight no more for hire, and set out for my
northern home, but on my way -" He stopped and muttered
something which the Procurator failed to catch.
"Yes? On the way -" the Roman prompted.

[29]



"I became embroiled with certain soldiers of the King
who sought to do a little family violence. Herod swore a
vengeance on me, and I was hunted like a beast from wood to
desert and from desert to mountain. At last I sought the
shelter which so many hunted men have found, and joined
the legions. Since then I've followed where my star - and
army orders - led, and now once more I stand within these
city walls, safe from the vengeance of King Herod's heirs."
"And right glad am I that thou art here," Pilate declared.
"This is no sinecure I hold, my Claudius. I have but a single
legion to police this seething country, and treason and
rebellion lift their heads on every side. Do I do one thing, the
Jews cry out against me for that I have trespassed on some
rite or custom which they hold in veneration. Do I do the
other, again they howl to heaven that the iron heel of Rome
oppresses them. By Jupiter! had I a dozen legions more -
nay, had I but a single legion more of men like thee, my
Claudius - I'd drive this mutinous rabble at the lance point
till they whined like beaten dogs for mercy!" He gazed down
at the city for a time in moody silence, then:
"What talk is this I hear of one who comes from Galilee
claiming to be King of the Jews? Think ye it bodes sedition?
Had they but a leader they could rally to I doubt not we
should soon be fighting for our lives against these pestilent
Judeans."
"I do not think we need fear insurrection from that
quarter, Excellence," the soldier answered. "I saw this teacher

[30]