Volume Ii Part 16 (2/2)

The sword of the Byzantine had pierced her heart.

Without a cry, a smile upon her lips, she sank down amid the flowers; Miriam's flowers.

Johannes turned and quickly helped up his brother Perseus, and then the Jew and the first three soldiers.

”Where is the sally-port?”

”Here to the left. I will go and open it!”

Perseus directed the soldiers.

”Where are the steps to the tower?”

”Here on the right,” answered Jochem--it was the staircase which led to Miriam's chamber--how often had Totila slipped in there! ”Be quiet! I hear the old man.”

It was really Isaac.

He had heard the noise from above; he came to the top of the steps with his torch and spear.

”Who is it down there? is it thou, Miriam? who comes?” he asked.

”I, Father Isaac,” answered Jochem; ”I wished once more to ask----” and he stealthily went up another step.

But Isaac heard the rattle of arms.

”Who is with thee!” he asked, advancing and holding out his torch. He now saw the armed men crouching behind Jochem.

”Treachery! treachery!” he screamed; ”die, thou blot upon the Hebrews!”

and he furiously struck his broad partisan into Jochem's heart, who could not retreat.

Jochem fell dead among the soldiers.

”Treachery!” again cried Isaac.

But the next moment Johannes struck him down, sprang over his corpse, hurried to the ramparts, and unfolded the flag of Byzantium.

Below the axes were busy; the sally-port fell, beaten down from within, and with shrill cries--it was already quite dark--the Huns rushed by thousands into the city.

All was over.

A portion filled the streets with carnage; one troop broke open the nearest gates, letting in their comrades from outside.

Old Uliaris, with his little troop, hurried from the castle; he hoped to drive the intruders out; in vain; a spear was hurled which felled him to the ground.

And round his corpse fell, fighting bravely, the two hundred faithful Goths who yet surrounded him.

Then, when they saw the imperial banner waving on the walls, the citizens of Neapolis arose. Led by old friends to the Romans, such as Stepha.n.u.s and Antiochus the Syrian--Castor, a zealous friend of the Goths, had lost his life in attempting to hold them back--they disarmed the single Goths in the streets, and sent an emba.s.sy with thanks, congratulations, and pet.i.tions for mercy on the city to Belisarius, who, surrounded by his brilliant staff, now rode into the Porta Capuana.

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