k of Roman freedom!
Are we free, or are we bound to obey you like your slaves? We demand a
term, and we will have it."

"We will have it!" repeated a chorus of voices.

Before Cethegus could reply, the sound of trumpets was heard from the
south-eastern corner of the Forum.

From the Via Sacra advanced a crowd of people, citizens and soldiers;
in their midst were two horsemen in foreign armour.

CHAPTER IX.

Lucius Licinius galloped before them, sprang off his horse, and mounted
the tribune.

"A herald from the Goths! I arrived too late to prevent his entrance as
usual. The famished legionaries at the Tiburtinian Gate opened it for
him."

"Down with him! He must not speak," cried the Prefect, rushing from the
tribune and drawing his sword.

But the people guessed his intentions. They surrounded the herald with
cries of joy, protecting him from the Prefect.

"Peace!"

"Hail!"

"Bread! Peace! Listen to the herald!"

"No! do not listen to him!" thundered Cethegus. "Who is Prefect of
Rome, he or I? Who defends this city? I, Cornelius Cethegus Caesarius;
and I tell you, do not listen!"

And he tried to make a way for himself.

But, thick as a swarm of bees, women and old men threw themselves into
his path, and the armed citizens surrounded the herald.

"Speak, herald!" they cried; "what bring you?"

"Peace and deliverance!" cried Thorismuth, and waved his white wand.
"Totila, King of the Italians and the Goths, sends you greetings and
demands a safe-conduct into the city, in order to tell you important
news and to announce peace."

"Hail to King Totila!"

"We will hear him. He shall come!"

Cethegus had hastily mounted his horse, and now ordered his trumpeters
to blow a flourish.

At this well-known sound, all became quiet.

"Hear me, herald! I, the governor of this city, refuse a safe-conduct.
I shall treat every Goth who enters this city as an enemy."

But at these words a cry of rage burst from the multitude.

"Cornelius Cethegus, are you our officer or our tyrant? We are free.
You have often vaunted the majesty of the Roman people. And the Roman
people command that the King shall be heard. Do we not, people of
Rome?"

"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.

Thorismuth and his companion galloped off to fetch the King.

The Prefect sign