"Put out the fires!--quench them quickly as possible!"
But his voice failed. Staring at the huge blaze Julian perceived that
no human force could conquer the flames, which were augmented by a
violent wind.
He held his head in his hands, and although with no faith nor prayer
in his heart, raised his eyes to heaven, as if there seeking succour.
The stars were shining above, faint, almost invisible.
The mutiny rolled on, becoming more and more menacing.
"The Persians have burned the ships!" groaned some, stretching their
arms toward the river.
"No, no, it was the generals, to drag us still farther into the desert
and leave us there," others cried incoherently.
"Kill the priests!" yelled some. "The Etruscans have poisoned Cæsar,
and sent him mad!"
"Glory to Augustus Julian, the conqueror!" shouted the faithful Gauls
and Celts. "Silence, traitors! so long as Cæsar breathes we have
nothing to fear!"