It was evident that he had by
this time advanced to within a few feet of the outer extremity of the
wall.
'Numerian wanders after his child through the streets,' muttered the
Pagan, as he deposited his lantern by his side, bared his trembling
arms, and raised his iron bar, 'the slaves of his neighbour the senator
are forth to pursue me. On all sides my enemies are out after me; but,
posted here, I mock their strictest search! If they would track me to
my hiding-place, they must penetrate the walls of Rome! If they would
hunt me down in my lair, they must assail me to-night in the camp of the
Goths! Fools! let them look to themselves! I seal the doom of their
city, with the last brick that I tear from their defenceless walls!'
He laughed to himself as he thrust his bar boldly into the crevice
before him. In some places the bricks yielded easily to his efforts; in
others, their resistance was only to be overcome by the exertion of his
utmost strength. Resolutely and unceasingly he continued his labours;
now wounding his hands against the jagged surfaces presented by the
widening fissure; now involuntarily dropping his instrument from
ungovernable exhaustion; but, still working bravely on, in defiance of
every hindrance that opposed him, until he gained the interior of the
new rift.
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