They heard him, however, or rather saw him. Two men ran with gourds full of water. Vinicius, who had fallen from exhaustion but had not lost consciousness, seized a gourd with both hands, and emptied one-half of it.
“Thanks,” said he; “place me on my feet, I can walk on alone.”
The other laborer poured water on his head; the two not only placed him on his feet, but raised him from the ground, and carried him to the others, who surrounded him and asked if he had suffered seriously. This tenderness astonished Vinicius.
“People, who are ye?” asked he.
“We are breaking down houses, so that the fire may not reach the Via Portuensis,” answered one of the laborers.
“Ye came to my aid when I had fallen. Thanks to you.”
“We are not permitted to refuse aid,” answered a number of voices.
Vinic
