plished. The people of Veii heard of
it, and were filled with alarm. Ambassadors were sent to Rome,
with the hope of inducing the Romans to come to some other terms
less severe than the surrender of the city; but they were
disappointed, and according to the legend, could only comfort
themselves by announcing to the Romans a prophecy in the oracular
books of Veii, to the effect that, if this siege should be carried
through to the capture of the city, Rome itself should be taken
by the Gauls soon after. This prophecy, however, had no effect.
whatever upon the stern resolution of the Romans.

The subterranean passage to the lake was also supplemented by
another, which led to the citadel of Veii. As the time approached
for the final assault, the Roman Senate invited all the Roman people
to participate in it, and promised them a share of the booty. This
promise induced a vast multitude, old and young, to go there. The
time at last came. The water of the Alban Lake was let out into
the fields, and the party that entered the subterranean passage to
the citadel were led by Camillus, while, at the same time, a general
assault was made upon the walls by the rest of the army. At that
moment the king of Veii happened to be sacrificing in the Temple
of Juno, which was in the citadel, and Camillus, with his Romans,
were immediately beneath, close enough to hear what he said. It
happened that the attendant priest declared that whoever should
bring the goddess her share of the victim should conquer. Camillus
heard the words, and at once they burst forth upon the astonished
Veientans, seized upon the altar, offered the sacrifice, and thus
performed what had been declared to be the conditions of victory.
After this they held the citadel, and sent a detachment to open
the gates to the assaulting army outside. Thus Veil fell; and this
is the legend which, like many others belonging to early Roman
times, is more full of poetry than of truth.

The tunnel still remains, and is one of the chief curiosities left
from ancient times. It is about two miles long, six feet high, and
three and a half feet wide.

To this place the guide led David and Clive, and entertained them
on the way with the account of its origin, which accorded in most
particulars with that which is given above; and though both of the
boys were familiar with the story, yet it was not unpleasant to
hear it again, told by one who lived in the neighborhood of the
place, and h