At that moment Syphax and Lucius rushed into the room.
"Up, general!"
"Up, Cethegus!"
"Two hours cannot yet have passed. Why have you awakened me?"
"The Goths! They have been beforehand with us! They storm the bulwarks!"
"Damn them! Where do they storm?"
Cethegus had already reached the door of the room.
"Where does the King attack?"
"At the bolts on the river. He has sent fire-ships up the stream. Floats with heavy towers on deck, full of resin, pitch, and sulphur. The first bolt of masts and all the boats between are in flames! Salvius Julianus is wounded and taken prisoner. There! you can see the reflection of the flames in the south-east!"
"The bolt of chains--does it hold?"