ing that you would be
in the midst of the uproar. I am to keep strict watch of you, till the
attack is repulsed."

"Let me go," she cried angrily, trying to release herself.

"No, you shall not. I must answer for you. Follow me."

They now began to struggle violently; but the man was stronger than the
girl. She could not escape his hold. Then Bruna, growling furiously,
rose on her hind legs and struck with her huge paws at her mistress's
foe. With a cry of terror the freedman, releasing the girl, sprang
back, and the next instant Bissula, by creeping between the horses'
legs, slipped through the ranks of the mailed riders, who, facing
south, were now the only obstacle between her and the lake gate.

She fairly flew down the long, narrow central street, the Via Media, in
whose tents the luggage was sheltered. There she saw Herculanus and,
somewhat farther down, Davus, each in a heavy oak-block, sunk into the
earth, with both feet thrust through holes and fettered to the blocks
with heavy cross chains. Bissula ran farther in terror. Now, for the
first time, she looked around for Bruna, The bear had not followed her;
her growling came from beyond the ranks of the horsemen, and at the
same time Bissula saw a pack of huge dogs, barking furiously, leaping
on the angry beast. One of the animals was hurled aside by the terrible
paw, yelping with agony. But the girl could wait no longer, far less
turn back. She hurried on; already she saw before her the goal of her
longing, the Decumanian Gate.

Already the blows of axes were thundering ceaselessly outside upon the
groaning oak planks and iron bars. Those were her own people, her
deliverers, her liberators! But the solid gate held out firmly, and
missiles rained from the top of the wall upon the unprotected
assailants. She pressed forward as near the gate as she could. Only a
single rank of soldiers separated her from it. Then Bissula heard
outside a ringing voice which sent a thrill of rapture through every
vein. She knew those tones.

"Set fire to the gate! Bring all the torches!"

Forgetting all caution, she sprang through the rank of soldiers,
pushing two of them aside, put her face to the gate and called with her
utmost strength, "Adalo! Help! Adalo!"

"Bissula!" rose a voice without, and a terrible blow--the first which
had penetrated cleft a yawning gash in the right wing of the double
gate, so that the splinters flew inside.

At the same time Bissula heard two