They protected the gates by means of "wolves," that is, cross-beams set with iron spikes, which were let crashing down upon the assaulters as soon as the latter approached the gate.
And, lastly, they strewed innumerable caltrops and steel-traps upon the space between the town-moats and the camp of the besiegers.
CHAPTER VIII.
In spite of all this, it was said by the Romans that the Goths would long since have climbed the walls, had it not been for the Prefect's "Egeria."
For, strange to say, each time the barbarians prepared an assault, Cethegus went to Belisarius and warned him of the day and hour.
Whenever Teja or Hildebad attempted to carry a gate by storm or sweep away a redoubt--Cethegus foretold their coming, and the assaulters met with double the usual number of defenders at that particular point.
Whenever the chains across the Tiber were to be broken in a night surprise--Cethegus seemed to have guessed it, and sent fire-brands and fire-ships against the boats of the enemy.
So passed many months.
The Goths could not hide from themselves the fact that, in spite of continual assaults, they had made no progress since the commencement of the siege.
For a long time they bore with patience the betrayal and frustration of their plans.