Both the horse and mule belonging to Marius were in perfect condition, and had evidently received more care than those of his comrades.
Scipio commended the beasts, and often reminded the soldiers of their well-groomed appearance, until at length, half in scorn and half in mirth, any man in Marius's army who worked harder and more persistently than his neighbour was called by his comrades 'a Marian mule.'
A year passed, and the barbarians had not yet appeared.
Marius was elected Consul for the third time, for the Senate still dreaded the appearance of the enemy, and wished him to be in command when it did descend into Italy.
Another year passed, and still they did not come.
At the end of 103 B.C. Marius went back to Rome. It was time for the new elections, and Marius pretended that he did not wish to be Consul again.
But Saturninus, one of the tribunes, said that if he refused office when his country was in danger he would be a traitor.
This was strong language, but it did not displease Marius, who in reality would have been greatly disappointed had he not been elected.
So now he promised to accept the office if it was the wish of the people that he should do so. Then for the fourth time Marius was chosen Consul, with Catulus as his colleague.
