And now all Procopius's balistas and machines were useless; for being directed for a wide range, they could not be placed in a perpendicular direction without great trouble and loss of time.
Piso observed this, and turned pale.
"Spears! spears! or all is lost!"
"They are all cast away," panted fat Balbus, who stood near him, with a look of despair.
"Then all is lost!" sighed Piso, letting fall his wearied arms.
"Come, Massurius, let us save ourselves," cried Balbus.
"No, let us stand and die," cried Piso.
Over the edge of the wall appeared the first Gothic helmet.
All at once a cry was heard upon the steps leading on to the wall citywards.
"Cethegus! Cethegus the Prefect!"