ed to the young tribunes to draw near him.

"Lucius Licinius," he said, "go to the Capitol. Salvius Julianus, you
will protect the lower river-bolt: the bolt of masts. Quintus Piso, you
will defend the chain-bolt. Marcus Licinius, you shall keep the bulwark
which protects the ascent to the Capitoline Hill and the way to my
house. The mercenaries will follow me."

"What do you intend to do, general?" asked Lucius Licinius, as he was
preparing to obey the order.

"Attack and destroy the barbarians."

There were but fifty horsemen and about a hundred lance-bearers to
follow the Prefect, when he had sent away the tribunes.

Meanwhile the people had waited anxiously for the sound of the Gothic
horns.

At last they were heard, and presently there appeared Thorismuth and
six horn-blowers; Wisand the bandalarius, carrying the royal blue
banner of the Goths; the King, accompanied by Duke Guntharis and Earl
Teja; and about ten other leaders, almost all without weapons; only
Earl Teja displayed his broad and dreaded axe.

As this procession was on the point of setting forth from the Gothic
encampment, to ride through the Metronian Gate into the city, Duke
Guntharis felt some one pull his mantle, and looking down, beheld a boy
or youth, with short and curly brown hair and blue eyes, standing near
his horse, with a shepherd's staff in his hand.

"Art thou the King? No, thou art not he. And that, that is brave Teja,
the Black Earl, as the songs call him!"

"What wouldst thou with the King, boy?"

"I would fight for him."

"Thou art still too tender. Go, and return two summers hence. And,
meanwhile, guard thy flocks."

"I may be young, but I am no longer weak, and I have guarded the flock
long enough. Ha! I see that that is the King!" and he went up to
Totila, and bowed gracefully, saying:

"By thy leave, O King!"

And he caught the bridle of the horse to lead it, as if it were a
matter of course.

The King looked amused, and smiled at the boy.

And the boy led his horse.

But Guntharis thought: "I have seen that face before! But no, it is
only a resemblance; yet such a resemblance I have never seen in my
life. And how noble is the young shepherd's carriage!"

"Hail to King Totila! Peace and salvation!" cried the people, as the
Goths entered the city.

But the young guide looked up into the King's shining countenance, and
sang in a soft sweet voice:

"Cunning Cethegus:
Tricks will not