Volume Iii Part 19 (2/2)

”We do!”

”It is according to law,” growled the Quirites.

”You have heard! Will you obey or defy the people of Rome?”

Cethegus sheathed his sword.

Thoris.m.u.th and his companion galloped off to fetch the King.

The Prefect signed to the young tribunes to draw near him.

”Lucius Licinius,” he said, ”go to the Capitol. Salvius Julia.n.u.s, you will protect the lower river-bolt: the bolt of masts. Quintus Piso, you will defend the chain-bolt. Marcus Licinius, you shall keep the bulwark which protects the ascent to the Capitoline Hill and the way to my house. The mercenaries will follow me.”

”What do you intend to do, general?” asked Lucius Licinius, as he was preparing to obey the order.

”Attack and destroy the barbarians.”

There were but fifty hors.e.m.e.n and about a hundred lance-bearers to follow the Prefect, when he had sent away the tribunes.

Meanwhile the people had waited anxiously for the sound of the Gothic horns.

At last they were heard, and presently there appeared Thoris.m.u.th and six horn-blowers; Wisand the bandalarius, carrying the royal blue banner of the Goths; the King, accompanied by Duke Guntharis and Earl Teja; and about ten other leaders, almost all without weapons; only Earl Teja displayed his broad and dreaded axe.

As this procession was on the point of setting forth from the Gothic encampment, to ride through the Metronian Gate into the city, Duke Guntharis felt some one pull his mantle, and looking down, beheld a boy or youth, with short and curly brown hair and blue eyes, standing near his horse, with a shepherd's staff in his hand.

”Art thou the King? No, thou art not he. And that, that is brave Teja, the Black Earl, as the songs call him!”

”What wouldst thou with the King, boy?”

”I would fight for him.”

”Thou art still too tender. Go, and return two summers hence. And, meanwhile, guard thy flocks.”

”I may be young, but I am no longer weak, and I have guarded the flock long enough. Ha! I see that that is the King!” and he went up to Totila, and bowed gracefully, saying:

”By thy leave, O King!”

And he caught the bridle of the horse to lead it, as if it were a matter of course.

The King looked amused, and smiled at the boy.

And the boy led his horse.

But Guntharis thought: ”I have seen that face before! But no, it is only a resemblance; yet such a resemblance I have never seen in my life. And how n.o.ble is the young shepherd's carriage!”

”Hail to King Totila! Peace and salvation!” cried the people, as the Goths entered the city.

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