Volume Ii Part 17 (2/2)
”Come!” he said.
”Whither?” asked Miriam in a low voice.
”Well, whither wilt thou go?”
”I do not know. I thank thee,” she said, and took an amulet from her neck and gave it to him. It was made of gold, a coin from the Jordan, from the Temple.
”No!” said the man, and shook his head.
He took her hand, and pressed it to his eyes.
”So,” he said, ”that will do me good all my life long. Now I must go; we must catch the Earl Totila. Farewell.”
That name went to Miriam's heart. She cast one more look at the quiet grave, and then slipped quickly out of the garden.
She wished to go through the gate on to the highroad, but the portcullis was down, and at the gate stood men with Gothic helmets and s.h.i.+elds. She looked about her in surprise.
”Is all ready, Chanaranzes?” said a voice.
”All; he is as good as taken!”
”Hark! before the walls! horses trampling! It is they! Back, woman!”
Outside, a few hors.e.m.e.n were seen trotting towards the gate.
”Open, open the gate!” cried Totila from a distance.
Thoris.m.u.th rode up to him.
”I don't know how it is, I have no confidence,” he cried. ”The road was so quiet, and so was the enemy's camp out there; scarcely a few watch-fires were burning.”
From the ramparts came a flourish of the Gothic horn.
”How horribly the fellow blows!” cried Thoris.m.u.th angrily.
”It must be an Italian,” said Totila.
”Give the watch-word,” was called from the walls in Latin.
”Neapolis!” cried Totila. ”Dost thou hear? Uliaris has been obliged to arm the citizens. Open the gate! I bring good news,” he called to the men above. ”Four hundred Goths follow at my heels, and Italy has a new king.”
”Which is he!” asked some one inside, in a low voice.
”He on the white horse, the first one.”
The gate was flung wide open; Gothic helmets filled the entrance; torches shone; voices whispered.
”Up with the portcullis!” cried Totila, riding up. Thoris.m.u.th looked anxiously before him, shading his eyes with his hand.
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