d Teja to revoke his cruel sentence, the latter
replied:

"Did they not fall upon our defenceless women and children in their
peaceful homes, and slay them? This is no longer a war between
warriors; it is nation murdering nation. Let us do our part."

From Samnium the King, leaving his unarmed people to follow slowly
under scanty escort--for they were threatened by no pursuit--hurried
forward with his best troops to Campania. His arrival in those parts
was so unexpected, that he not only surprised Duke Guntharis and Earl
Grippa, whose small army had melted still more in consequence of
frequent battles with superior forces, but, shortly after, the enemy
also, who now had thought themselves sure of victory.

He had found Duke Guntharis and Earl Grippa occupying a secure position
between Neapolis and Beneventum. He learned that the Romani were
threatening Cumae from Capua.

"They shall not reach that city before me," he cried; "I have to
complete there an important work."

And, his army being now reinforced by the garrison of his own county
town of Tarentum, under the command of brave Ragnaris, he surprised the
superior force of the Byzantines, which was about to march upon Cumae,
and defeated them with great loss. He himself slew the Archon Armatus
with his battle-axe, and at his side young Adalgoth ran Dorotheos
through with his spear. The Byzantines were routed, and fled northwards
to Terracina.

It was the last ray of sunshine cast by the God of Victory upon the
blue banner of the Goths.

The next day King Teja entered Cumae. Totila, upon his last fatal march
from Rome, had decided, at the instance of Teja, and contrary to his
custom, to take with him hostages from that city. No one knew what had
become of them.

On the evening of his entry into Cumae, King Teja ordered the walled-up
garden of the Castle of Cumae to be broken open. There were hidden the
hostages from Rome: patricians and senators--among them Maximus,
Cyprianus, Opilio, Rusticus, and Fidelius, the most distinguished men
of the Senate--in all they numbered three hundred. All were members of
the old league against the Goths.

Teja ordered the Goths who had lately escaped from Rome to tell these
hostages how the Romans, persuaded by envoys sent by Narses, had one
night risen in revolt, had murdered all the Goths upon whom they could
lay hands, even the women and children, and had driven the rest into
the _Moles Hadriani_.

The King fastened s