Volume Iii Part 24 (2/2)

Lucius Licinius pressed the hand of his dying brother.

”I shall follow him notwithstanding,” he said, ”for he is wounded.”

While Cethegus, Syphax, and Lucius Licinius disappeared in the distance, Piso crouched behind the columns of a Basilica close to which the street led upwards from the river.

Meanwhile the King had placed the Abasgians under the guard of his soldiers. He went a few steps up the bank of the river and pointed with his sword to the flames which arose from the Capitol.

Then he turned to the Goths who were landing.

”Forward!” he cried. ”Make haste! The flames up there must be extinguished. The fight is over. Now, Goths, protect and preserve Rome, for it is yours!”

Piso took advantage of the moment.

”Apollo!” he exclaimed; ”if ever my satires. .h.i.t their mark, help now my sword!”

And he sprang from behind the column towards the King, who stood with his back turned to him. But before he could deal a blow, he let his sword fell with a loud cry. A st.u.r.dy stroke from a stick had lamed his hand.

Immediately a young shepherd sprang upon him and pulled him to the ground, kneeling on his breast.

”Yield, thou Roman wolf!” cried a clear boyish voice.

”Ah! Piso.... the poet He is thy prisoner, boy,” said the King, who now turned. ”He shall ransom himself with a goodly sum. But who art thou, young shepherd?”

”He is the saviour of your life, sire,” interposed old Haduswinth. ”We saw the Roman rush at you, but we were too far off to call or help you.

We owe your life to this boy.”

”What is thy name, young hero?”

”Adalgoth.”

”And what wouldst thou here?”

”Cethegus, the traitor, the Prefect of Rome! where is he, King? Pray tell me. I was sent to the boats. I heard that he would oppose thy attack here.”

”He was here. He has fled; most likely to his house.”

”Wouldst thou overcome that King of h.e.l.l with this stick?” asked Haduswinth.

”No,” cried the boy; ”I have now a sword.”

And he took up his prisoner's sword, which was lying on the ground; brandished it over his head and rushed away.

Totila gave Piso in charge to the Goths, who had now landed in great numbers.

”Hasten!” he cried again. ”Save the Capitol, which the Romans are destroying!”

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