Zazo.

"As soon as the first news of our defeat at Decimum reached Ravenna,"
said Gibamund, "brave Ostrogoths, the old instructor in the use of
arms, Teja, and several others, wished to come to our assistance with a
body of volunteers; for it was rumored that I had fallen. Probably the
mistake arose through the death of Ammata. The Regent strictly forbade
it. Then Teja sent to my widow, as he supposed, this magnificent dagger
of dark metal."

"The workmanship is exquisite," said Zazo, drawing out the blade and
examining it. "What a superb weapon!"

"And he forged it himself," cried Hilda, eagerly. "Look here; his
housemark on the hilt."

"And on the blade a motto inscribed in runes," added Zazo, stepping
under the lamp: "'The dead are free.' H'm, a stern consolation. But not
too stern for Hilda. Keep this carefully."

"Yes," replied Hilda, quietly. "The dagger in my girdle, and the
consolation in my thoughts."

"But not too soon, Hilda," said Zazo, in a tone of warning, as he left
the tent.

"Have no fear," she answered, throwing both arms around her husband;
"it is the consolation and weapon of the _widow_."

CHAPTER XIII

At sunrise the next morning the long-drawn notes of the horns aroused
the sleeping camp of the Vandals.

Concealed from the eyes of the Romans by the first row of tents, the
Barbarians' army was formed in order for battle within its own camp.
The leaders had received written orders the evening before concerning
their positions, and now executed them without confusion. A breakfast
of bread and wine was served to the men wherever they stood or lay. The
camp was a large one, narrow but very long, following the course of the
little stream. Besides the soldiers, it had been compelled to shelter
many women, children, and old men who had fled from Carthage and other
districts occupied or threatened by the foe.

Now the blare of trumpets summoned the subordinate officers and the
leaders of the thousands to the centre of the camp, where the King and
his two brothers, mounted on their chargers, were in the midst of a
large open space. With them, leaning against the shoulder of her
splendid stallion, stood Hilda, a muffled spear-shaft in her hand;
beside her, in full priestly insignia, Verus sat on horseback. Outside
the leaders were massed the men with whom Zazo had reconquered
Sardinia.

Again the blare of the trumpets echoed through the streets of tents,
th