at
Rome, he learned that the Eastern legions had named Vespasian emperor,
and that he was even then on his way home to claim the throne.

Searching for the sacred weapon to defend his rights, Vitellius
now discovered the theft, and, overcome by superstitious fears, did
not even attempt to fight. He crawled away into a dark corner of his
palace, whence he was ignominiously dragged by the enraged populace to
the foot of the Capitoline Hill. There the prophecy was duly fulfilled,
for the German soldier, who had joined the opposite faction, coming
along at that moment, cut off Vitellius' head with the sacred sword.

The German soldier now changed from one legion to another, and
travelled over many lands; but wherever he and his sword were found,
victory was assured. After winning great honour and distinction, this
man, having grown old, retired from active service to the banks of the
Danube, where he secretly buried his treasured weapon, building his hut
over its resting-place to guard it as long as he might live. When he
lay on his deathbed he was implored to reveal where he had hidden it,
but he persistently refused to do so, saying that it would be found
by the man who was destined to conquer the world, but that he would
not be able to escape the curse. Years passed by. Wave after wave
the tide of barbarian invasion swept over that part of the country,
and last of all came the terrible Huns under the leadership of Attila,
the "Scourge of God." As he passed along the river, he saw a peasant
mournfully examining his cow's foot, which had been wounded by some
sharp instrument hidden in the long grass, and when search was made
the point of a buried sword was found sticking out of the soil.

Attila, seeing the beautiful workmanship and the fine state of
preservation of this weapon, immediately exclaimed that it was
Cheru's sword, and brandishing it above his head he announced that
he would conquer the world. Battle after battle was fought by the
Huns, who, according to the Saga, were everywhere victorious, until
Attila, weary of warfare, settled down in Hungary, taking to wife the
beautiful Burgundian princess Ildico, whose father he had slain. This
princess, resenting the murder of her kin and wishing to avenge it,
took advantage of the king's state of intoxication upon his wedding
night to secure possession of the divine sword, with which she slew
him in his bed, once more fulfilling the prophecy uttered so many
years be