The latter had recovered the mastery of his horse, and now sought protection in the thickest press of his soldiers.
In vain.
Witichis did not lose sight of him for a moment, but followed him closely.
However he might hide himself among his men, however rapidly he rode, Calpurnius could not escape the King, who beat down all who stood between him and the murderer of his son.
Group after group, knot after knot, dissolved before the terrible sword of the revengeful father. The lines of the Huns were broken through by the fugitive and his pursuer. They were not able to close again, for, even before Totila could come up, the old standard-bearer, with horse and foot, had broken their right flank, dividing it into two parts.
When Totila galloped up, he found only flying foes. The portion to the right was soon taken between Totila and Hildebrand, and destroyed. The greater part on the left fled back to Belisarius.
Meantime Calpurnius galloped over the field as if pursued by the Furies.
He had a good start, for Witichis had been seven times obliged to hew his way through the enemy.
But Boreas galloped bravely on, and carried Witichis ever nearer to his victim.
The fugitive heard the call to stand and fight. He only spurred his horse the faster.