Volume Ii Part 60 (1/2)
”Yes, now there is cause to be daring, my friend.”
The column was formed; the Prefect was just about to give the sign, when, from behind, there arose a noise still greater than that made by the storming Goths; screams of pain and the tramp of horses. Bessas came up in great agitation; he caught the Prefect's arm--his voice failed him.
”Why do you hinder me at this moment?” asked. Cethegus, pus.h.i.+ng him aside.
”Belisarius's troops,” at last panted the Thracian, ”stand sorely wounded outside the Tiburtinian Gate they beg for admittance--furious Goths are at their heels--Belisarius has fallen into an ambush--he is dead.”
”Belisarius is taken!” cried a gate-keeper, who hurried up breathless.
”The Goths--the Goths are upon us! at the Nomentanian and Tiburtinian Gates!” was shouted from the streets.
”Belisarius's flag is taken! Procopius is defending the corpse of Belisarius!”
”Give orders for the Tiburtinian Gate to be opened,” persisted Bessas.
”Your Isaurians are there. Who sent them?”
”I,” answered Cethegus reflectively.
”They will not open without your orders. Save at least the corpse of our n.o.ble commander!”
Cethegus lingered--he held his hand half raised--he hesitated.
”I would gladly save his _corpse_!” he thought.
Just then Syphax rushed up to him, and whispered:
”No, he still lives! I saw him from the ramparts. He moves; but he will be taken prisoner directly. The Gothic hors.e.m.e.n are close upon him.
Totila and Teja will be up with him immediately!”
”Give the order; let the Tiburtinian Gate be opened,” insisted Bessas.
But the Prefect's eyes flashed; over his countenance spread an expression of proud and bold decision, and illumined it with demoniac beauty. He struck his sword against the shattered wing of the gate before him and cried:
”Sally! First Rome; then Belisarius! Rome and triumph!”
The gate flew open. The storming Goths, already sure of victory, had expected anything rather than such a bold attack from the Byzantines, whom they believed to be completely cowed. They were crowded about the gate without order. They were completely taken by surprise, and were soon pushed into the yawning ditch behind them by the sudden and irresistible attack.
Old Hildebrand would not leave his battering-ram. Raising himself to his full height, he shattered Gregorius's tall helmet with his stone-axe. But almost at the same moment Lucius Licinius pushed him into the trench with the spike of his s.h.i.+eld. Cethegus cut the ropes which held the battering-ram, and it fell cras.h.i.+ng down over the old man.
”Now fire all the wooden machines!” cried Cethegus.
Quickly the flames caught the beams.
The victorious Romans immediately retired within the walls.
But then Syphax, meeting the Prefect, cried:
”Mutiny, master! Mutiny and rebellion! The Byzantines will no longer obey you! Bessas calls upon them to open the Tiburtinian Gate by force.
His body-guard threaten to attack Marcus Licinius, and the Huns to slaughter your legionaries and Isaurians!”