"It is according to law," growled the Quirites.
"You have heard! Will you obey or defy the people of Rome?"
Cethegus sheathed his sword.
Thorismuth and his companion galloped off to fetch the King.
The Prefect signed to the young tribunes to draw near him.
"Lucius Licinius," he said, "go to the Capitol. Salvius Julianus, you will protect the lower river-bolt: the bolt of masts. Quintus Piso, you will defend the chain-bolt. Marcus Licinius, you shall keep the bulwark which protects the ascent to the Capitoline Hill and the way to my house. The mercenaries will follow me."
"What do you intend to do, general?" asked Lucius Licinius, as he was preparing to obey the order.
"Attack and destroy the barbarians."
There were but fifty horsemen and about a hundred lance-bearers to follow the Prefect, when he had sent away the tribunes.
Meanwhile the people had waited anxiously for the sound of the Gothic horns.