en Zazo rode a few paces forward. Thundering cheers greeted him. In
loud, clear tones he began: "Listen, army of the Vandals. We shall
fight to-day, not for victory alone; we are struggling for all we are
and have,--the kingdom of Genseric and its renown, the wives and
children in yonder tents, who will become slaves if we yield. To-day we
must look death and the enemy closely in the eye. The King has
commanded that this battle is to be fought by the Vandals with the
sword only, not with bow and arrow, not with lance and spear. Look, I
cast my own spear from me; you will do the same; with sword in hand,
press close to the body of the foe." He dropped his lance; all the
soldiers followed his example. "One spear alone," he added, "will tower
aloft to-day in the Vandal army,--this."

Hilda stepped forward. Taking the shaft from her hand, he tore off the
cover and waved high aloft a floating scarlet banner.

"Genseric's flag! Genseric's conquering dragon!" shouted thousands of
voices.

"Follow this standard wherever it calls you. Do not let it fall into
the hands of the enemy. Swear to follow it unto death."

"Unto death!" came the answer in solemn tones.

"That is well. I believe you. Vandals. Now listen to your King. You
know that he has the gift of song and harp-playing. He has planned the
order of battle wisely, skilfully; he has also composed the battle-song
which is to sweep you into the conflict."

Then Gelimer, throwing back his long purple mantle, raised
Hilda's--Teja's--dark triangular harp, and, to the accompaniment of its
clear notes, sang:--

"On, on, Vandals brave,
Forward to battle!
Follow the standard,
The fame-heralded
Consort of Victory.

"Dash on the foemen!
Strive with and strike them,
Breast 'gainst breast pressing,
In close combat down!

"Guard ye, O Vandals,
The heritage noble
Of ancestors stainless,
Our kingdom and fame!

"Vengeance is preparing
High in the heavens
The avenger of right:
God crown with victory
The cause that is just."

"God crown with victory the cause that is just!" repeated the warriors,
in an exulting shout, and dispersed through the streets of the camp.

The King and his brothers now dismounted from their horses, to hold
another short council and to d