event the ardour of the soldiers from being cooled by delay,
the whole city was blockaded by the fourth hour; and the siege from that
time was carried on with great vigour, the besiegers, from their innate
ferocity, pressing in to complete its destruction, while, on the other
hand, the garrison was stimulated to great exertions by their natural
courage.

4. And while the vast number of soldiers and grooms, who were prohibited
from entering the city with their beasts, kept close to the walls and to
the houses which joined them, and fought gallantly, considering the
disadvantages under which they laboured from the lowness of the ground
which they occupied, and baffled the rage of their assailants till the
ninth hour of the day, on a sudden three hundred of our infantry, of
those who were nearest the battlements, formed themselves into a solid
body, and deserted to the barbarians, who seized upon them with avidity,
and (it is not known on what account) at once slaughtered them all. And
from that time forth it was remarked that no one, even in the extremity
of despair, adopted any similar conduct.

5. Now while all these misfortunes were at their height, suddenly there
came a violent thunderstorm, and rain pouring down from the black clouds
dispersed the bands of soldiers who were raging around; and they
returned to their camp, which was measured out in a circle by their
waggons; and being more elated and haughty than ever, they sent
threatening letters to our men ... and an ambassador ... on condition of
safety to him.

6. But as the messenger did not dare to enter the city, the letters were
at last brought in by a certain Christian; and when they had been read
and considered with all proper attention, the rest of the day and the
whole of the night was devoted to preparing for defence. For inside the
city the gates were blocked up with huge stones; the weak parts of the
walls were strengthened, and engines to hurl javelins or stones were
fixed on all convenient places, and a sufficient supply of water was
also provided; for the day before some of the combatants had been
distressed almost to death by thirst.

7. On the other hand the Goths, considering the difficulty and
uncertainty of all warlike transactions, and becoming anxious at seeing
their bravest warriors wounded and slain, and their strength gradually
diminished, devised and adopted a crafty counsel, which, however, was
revealed to us by Justice herself.

8.