Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/435

 CATO THE YOUNGER. 427 incensed, would rashly and in heat have punished all those who were going away, and in the first place have laid hands on Cicero ; but Cato spoke with him in private, and diverted him from that design. And thus he clearly saved the life of Cicero, and rescued several others also from ill-treatment. Conjecturing that Pompey the Great was fled toward Egypt or Africa, Cato resolved to hasten after him ; and having taken all his men aboard, he set sail ; but first to those who were not zealous to continue the contest/he gave free liberty to depart. When they came to the coast of Africa, they met with Sextus, Pompey's younger son, who told them of the death of his father in Egypt ; at which they were all exceedingly grieved, and declared that after Pompey they would follow no other leader but Cato. Out of compassion therefore to so many worthy persons, who had given such testimonies of their fidelity, and whom he could not for shame leave in a desert, country, amidst so many difficulties, he took upon him the command, and marched toward the city of Cyrene, which presently received him, though not long before they had shut their gates against Labienus. Here he was informed that Scipio, Pompey's father-in-law, was received by king Juba, and that Attius Varus, whom Pomj^ey had made governor of Africa, had joined them with his forces. Cato therefore resolved to march toward them by land, it being now winter ; and got together a number of asses to carry water, and furnished himself likewise with plenty of all other provision, and a number of carriages. He took also with him some of those they call Psylli, who cure the biting of serpents, by sucking out the poison with their mouths, and have likewise certain charms, by which they stupefy and lay asleep the serpents. Thus they marched seven days together, Cato all the time going on foot at the head of his men, and never