CHAPTER XVIII.
At last a Persian horseman, making his way through the ranks of the Goths, galloped up to the King, gave a message, and galloped back again at full speed.
"At last!" cried Totila. "Now enough of sport! Brave Alboin, son of Audoin," he loudly cried across to the enemy's ranks, "wilt thou really fight for the Greeks against us? Then come on, O King's son--it is a King who calls thee?"
Alboin could no longer restrain his impatience.
"Mine must he be with armour and horse!" he shouted, and spurred forward with his lance couched.
Totila, with a gentle pressure of his thigh, brought his horse to a sudden standstill. It seemed that he intended to stand the shock.
Alboin came on at a furious gallop.
Another slight pressure of Totila's thigh, a clever spring to one side, and the Longobardian, who could not check his horse, rushed far past his adversary.
But the next moment Totila was at Alboin's back; he could easily have bored him through with his spear.
The Longobardians, seeing the danger of their chief, uttered loud cries and hurried to his assistance.