trotted into anything so evil, my wolves!" he
said.

He would have retreated, but now Gothic footmen issued likewise from
the southern gate of Caprae, blocking the way back.

"There is nothing for it but to die merrily, Gisulf! Greet Rosimunda,
if thou escapest!"

And he turned to meet one of the leaders of the Persian horsemen, who,
distinguished by a richly-gilded open helm, had now reached the road,
and was advancing straight upon him.

As he came up to Alboin, he of the gilded helmet cried:

"Turn, Longobardian! yonder stands our common foe! _Down with the
Goths!_"

And he ran his sword through a Gothic horseman who was aiming a stroke
at Alboin.

And now the Persian horsemen, galloping past the Longobardians,
attacked the horrified Goths. For a moment the latter halted, taken by
surprise. But when they saw that it was no mistake--that the ambush was
against _them_, and not against the Longobardians--they cried,
"Treachery, treachery! all is lost!" and, this time in unfeigned
flight, rushed back to Taginae, carrying everything along with them,
even their own footmen, who were just issuing from the gate.

Even the King changed countenance when he saw the Corsican strike at
the Goths at Alboin's side.

"Yes, it is treachery!" he cried. "Ha! the tiger! Down with him!"

And he rushed at the Corsican. But before he could reach him, Isdigerd
the Persian had stormed into the road from the left between the King
and Furius.

"Aim at the King!" he cried to his men. "All spears at the King! There
he is, the white one! With the swan on his helmet! Down with him!"

A hail of spears whistled through the air. In a moment the King's
shield bristled with darts.

By this time the Corsican had recognised the tall and glittering figure
in the distance.

"It is he! I will have his heart's blood!"

And he forced his way through his own and Isdigerd's men.

The two enraged adversaries were now separated only by a few feet.

But Totila had turned against Isdigerd. Pierced in the neck by the
King's spear, the chief fell dead to the ground.

And now Totila and Furius met.

The Corsican aimed his spear full at the King's unprotected face.

But suddenly the glittering helmet and the white mantle had
disappeared.

Two spears had struck the white horse, and at the same time a third
pierced the King's shield and wounded his left arm severely.

Horse and man fell.

Isdigerd's Persians raised a wild cry of exultation