Volume Iii Part 23 (2/2)
It was a magnificent spectacle as the great vessel, all its canvas spread, and urged by a hundred oarsmen, came majestically up the river, illuminated by the terrible light from the burning masts and boats.
With irresistible force the n.o.ble galley sailed up the stream.
On both sides of the upper deck, high above the heads of the oarsmen on the lower deck, kneeled close rows of Gothic warriors, their s.h.i.+elds forming a brazen roof to protect them from the arrows of the foe.
Upon the bows of the s.h.i.+p an immense figure of a swan lifted high its snowy wings.
Between these wings, upon the back of the swan, stood King Totila, his sword in his right hand.
”Forward!” he cried. ”Pull, my men, with all your might! Be ready, Goths!”
Cethegus recognised the youth's tall figure. He even recognised the voice.
”Let the galley approach quite close. When within twenty feet, shoot!
Not yet!--Now! now shoot!”
”Crouch close, Goths!” cried Totila.
A hail of arrows fell over the galley. But they rebounded from a roof of s.h.i.+elds.
”d.a.m.n them!” cried Piso, behind the Prefect. ”They intend to break the chain with the force of the shock. And they will surely do it, even if every man on deck should fall! The oarsmen we cannot reach, and the south wind cannot be wounded!”
”Fire the sails! fire the s.h.i.+p! Bring firebrands!” cried Cethegus.
Ever nearer rustled the threatening ”Swan.”
Ever nearer approached the ruinous shock against the tightly-stretched chains.
Firebrands were hurled at the galley.
One flew into the sail of the main-mast, burnt quickly up, and then died out.
A second--Cethegus himself had hurled it--pa.s.sed close to the golden locks of the King. It fell near him. He had not remarked it; but a shepherd-boy, who carried no weapon but a shepherd's staff, ran up and trampled it out.
The other brands rebounded from the s.h.i.+elds and fell hissing into the river.
And now the prow of the galley was only eight feet from the chain.
The Romans trembled in expectation of the shock.
Cethegus stepped to the bow of his boat, balancing and aiming his heavy spear.
”Mark!” he said; ”as soon as the King falls, be quick with more firebrands.”
Never had the practised soldier aimed better. Drawing back his spear once more, he launched it at the King with all the force lent to his arm by hatred.
His followers waited breathlessly. But the King did not fall. He had caught sight of Cethegus while aiming; at the same moment he threw down his long and narrow s.h.i.+eld and awaited the flying shaft with his left arm drawn back.
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