The fiery projectile flew hissing through the air, and immediately a second flame rose out of the city.
Just then Procopius galloped up and cried:
"Belisarius, your general, Johannes, greets you. The Castle of Tiberius burns, and the first wall is down!"
And such was the fact; and soon, in all parts of the city, four, six, ten houses were in flames.
"Water!" cried Totila, galloping through a burning street near the harbour. "Come out, you citizens of Neapolis! Extinguish your houses! I can spare no Goths from the walls. Get barrels of water from the harbour into all the streets! The women into the houses!--What do you want, girl? leave me.--Is it you, Miriam? You here--among the flames and arrows? Away! whom do you seek?"
"You," said the girl. "Do not be alarmed. Her house burns, but she is saved."
"Valeria! For God's sake, where is she?"
"With me. In our strong tower--there she is safe. I saw the flames. I hastened to the house. Your friend with the soft voice was carrying her out of the ruins; he wanted to take her into the church. I called to him, and persuaded him to bring her to the tower. She bleeds. A stone wounded her upon the shoulder, but there is no danger. She wishes to see you, and I came to seek you!"
"Thanks, child! But come, come away;" and he took hold of her arm, and swung her up to his saddle.
Trembling, she wound both arms about his neck. He held his broad shield over her head with his left hand, and galloped off with her through the smoking streets to the Porta Capuana.