The Huns had finished praying. They rode a short way into the water, fixing their arrows and taking aim.
"Leave me, Witichis. Fly! I will die here."
"No; I will never leave thee again!"
He lifted her out of the saddle, and tried to hide her on the rock. The group stood in the full light of the moon.
"Yield, Witichis!" cried Cethegus, spurring his horse up to its haunches in the water.
"A curse upon thee, thou traitor!" was the reply of Witichis.
Twelve arrows whizzed at once. The charger of Theodoric leaped wildly forward, and sank for ever into the flood.
But Witichis also was mortally wounded.
"With thee!" sighed Rauthgundis. She held him closely with both arms.
"With thee!"