r
half in Taginae. Totila himself, with his small troop of horsemen, would
advance beyond Caprae against the Longobardians; and at the moment of
attack, would turn, feigning a sudden panic; would gallop back through
the gates of Caprae (the troops there remaining concealed in the
houses), and thus draw on the Longobardians to pursue him into the
narrow road, between low hills, which lay between Caprae and Taginae. At
this spot Totila would place in ambush a troop of Persian horsemen,
which had been unexpectedly brought to him by his old friend and rival,
Furius Ahalla, who had orders, when the Longobardians were fairly taken
in the trap, to issue from their ambush, and annihilate them. Totila
counted upon the fidelity of Ahalla, who was bound to him by strong
ties of gratitude in spite of the defeat he had suffered in his suit of
Valeria. This plan of Totila was highly approved of by Hildebrand, and
all the warriors who shared his counsels.

The evening before the day of its execution all was in readiness.
Furius Ahalla and his horsemen were posted in the narrow road, the
"Flaminian Way." Earl Thorismuth himself went out to make sure that
they had punctually obeyed orders. When he returned to Totila's camp,
he brought word that Furius Ahalla begged Totila to delay his attack
and feigned flight on the morrow, until three hundred of his best men,
who had been delayed on the march, should have joined him; of which
event he would immediately apprise Totila outside the gates of Caprae.

"Well," said Totila, smiling, "I will await the proper moment, and
meantime entertain the Longobardians by my feats of horsemanship.
To-morrow, Teja, God will decide the right. Thou sayest there is no God
but necessity. I say there is a living God--my victory to-morrow shall
prove it."

"Stay," cried Julius, who was present, "ye shall not tempt the Lord!"

"Seest thou," cried Teja, as he rose and took up his shield, "Julius
fears for his God!"

CHAPTER XVII.

Brilliantly arose the sun on the next morning, casting its first beams
over the warlike movement in the Gothic camp.

As the King issued from his dwelling in the marketplace of Taginae,
Adalgoth, Thorismuth, and Phaza hurried to meet him with his milk-white
charger, sent, together with a magnificent suit of armour, by Valeria,
his bride.

His arms rang as the King swung himself into the saddle.

His grooms led up two other horses in reserve