But the next moment he had leaped forward and back again; he had cut off the arm of his nearest adversary at one powerful stroke.
The Goths fell back a little.
Hildebrand became furious.
"Forward!" he cried. "No more pity! Aim at him with your spears!"
"He is proof against iron!" cried one of the Goths, a cousin of Teja. "I hit him three times; he cannot be wounded."
"Thinkest thou so, Aligern?" laughed the old man grimly. "Let me see if he be proof against stone."
And he hurled his stone battle-axe--he was almost the only one who still carried this ancient heathen weapon--at the Byzantine.
The heavy axe crashed upon the glittering helmet of the brave defender of the bridge, who fell as if struck by lightning.
Two men sprang towards him and raised his visor.
"Master Hildebrand," cried Aligern in astonishment, "it is no Byzantine!"