"King," said Totila, "I cannot carry it if I am to show my horsemen the way to the enemy."
Witichis signed to Teja.
"Forgive me," said Teja, "to-day I need both hands."
"Well then, Hildebad!"
"Many thanks for the honour; but I do not intend to do worse than the others."
"What?" cried Witichis, almost angry; "must I be my own standard-bearer? Will none of my friends honour my trust?"
"Give me the flag of Theodoric," said old Hildebrand, grasping the mighty shaft. "It pleases me that the youths so thirst for fame. Give me the banner, I will defend it to-day as I did forty summers ago."
And from that moment he rode at the King's right hand.
"The enemy's foot are advancing up the hill," said Witichis, raising himself in the saddle.
"They are Huns and Armenians," said Teja, looking forward with his eagle-eyes, "I recognise their long shields!" And spurring his horse, he cried: "And Ambazuch, the perjured murderer of Petra, leads them."