midday
There , at least , he would have companionship in shame , instead of seeming to command men and being unwilling to lead them to fight for lands which the gods themselves had deemed worthy of their contention . They were near Cales when the orders were brought . Could it be the dictator 's intention to give battle and avenge what he had failed to save ? By midday they were mounted and threading the forest paths that led to their comrades -- paths whence , from time to time , some vista in the woods disclosed the plain below , with here and there a column of smoke that made Sergius grind his teeth and clench his hands in impotent rage . Suddenly he drew rein , for a man , dressed in the coarse , gray tunic of a slave , had half run , half stumbled across his way . An instant more , and the fellow was struggling in the grasp of Decius , who had sprung to the ground . `` What now , forkbearer !