s of the multitude.

For some time it was all in vain, but at last the brazen tones
conquered.

When all was quiet the Prefect cried:

"It is a lie! Do not believe such barefaced lies!"

"Have the Goths, have I, ever lied to you, Romans? But you shall
believe your own eyes and ears. Come forward, man, and speak. Do you
know him?"

A Byzantine in rich armour was led forward by the Gothic horsemen.

"Konon!"

"The navarchus of Belisarius!"

"We know him!" cried the crowd.

Cethegus turned pale.

"Men of Rome," said the Byzantine, "Belisarius, the magister militum,
has sent me to King Totila. I arrived in the camp to-day. Belisarius
was obliged to return to Byzantium. On leaving Sicily, he recommended
Rome and Italy to the well-known benevolence of King Totila. This was
my message to him and to you."

"If this be so," cried Cethegus, with a threatening voice, "then now is
the day to prove whether you be Romans or bastards! Mark me well!
Cethegus the Prefect will never, never surrender his Rome to the
barbarians! Oh I think once more of the time when I was your all! When
you exalted my name above those of the saints! Who has given you, for
years, work, bread, and, what is more, weapons? Who protected
you--Belisarius or Cethegus?--when these barbarians encamped by
millions before your walls? Who saved Rome, with his heart's blood,
from King Witichis? For the last time I call you to the combat! Do you
hear me, grandchildren of Camillus? As he once, solely by the might of
the Roman sword, swept the Gauls, who had already taken the city, away
from the Capitol, so will I sweep away these Goths! Follow me! We will
sally forth and let the world see what is possible to Roman valour when
led by Cethegus and despair. Choose!"

"Aye, choose!" cried Totila, raising himself in his stirrups. "Choose
between certain destruction or certain freedom. If you once more follow
this madman, I can no longer protect you. Listen to Earl Teja, who
stands at my right hand. You know him, I think. I can no longer protect
you."

"No," cried Teja, raising his mighty axe, "then, by the God of Hate, no
more mercy! If you refuse this last offer, not a life will be spared
within these walls. I, and a thousand others, have sworn it!"

"I offer you complete immunity, and will prove a mild and just king to
you. Ask Neapolis what I am! Choose between me and the Prefect!"

"Hail to King Totila! Death to the Prefect!" was the unanimous
acclama