who shall gain the victory." And when the virgin leapt to the ground, giving her horse to her companions, he turned his horse to flee. But the virgin cried, "Thinkest thou to escape me thus, thou fool? Never shalt thou see thy father, the crafty Aunus, again." And she made haste and outran the horse, and catching the reins in her hands, stood before him and slew him. [Illustration: CAMILLA AND THE SON OF AUNUS.] Then did Tarchon the Tuscan rebuke his horsemen, calling each by his name, and saying, "What fear, what baseness, is this, ye Tuscans? Shall a woman drive you before her? Ready enough are ye for the dance, and the feast, and the sacrifice; but ye lag behind in war." And he drave his horse at Venulus of Tibur, and caught him in his arms, and carried him away. As an eagle carries a snake which he hath caught, and the snake, winding his coils about the bird, struggles and hisses, so did Tarchon carry him off, and spy out a place where he might smite him, and Venulus strove amain to keep the sword from his throat. And all the men of Troy and the Tuscans charged again when they saw their chief do so valiantly. But all the while Arruns watched the virgin Camilla, that he might take her unawares. Now there was a certain Chloreus, priest of Cybelé, who rode through the battle, very splendid to behold. For his horse was clad in bronze mail, that was clasped with gold; and he himself was clad in purple from beyond the seas; his bow was of Lycia and his arrows of Crete; of gold was his bow, and of gold the helmet; and his saffron scarf was clasped with gold; and his tunic was embroidered with needlework, and his trews were of divers colours. Him alone the virgin followed, blind to all beside, with a woman's love of beautiful spoil. And Arruns watched her from the ambush where he lay; and when the time was come, he cried, "Apollo, lord of Soracte, help me now; if ever I and my people have passed over the burning coals in thy honour, help me now. I seek not spoil nor glory; let me return without honour to my country, so but I slay this fury." And part of his prayer the god heard, and part was scattered by the winds. Camilla, indeed, he slew, but to his country he went not back. But when the bow twanged, all the Volscians turned their eyes to the queen; but she was not aware of the arrow, even till it smote her under her breast. Then her companions ran together and caught her as she fell. And she would have drawn forth the arrow, but it was deep in her side. Then did her eyes swim cold in death, and the colour, that was as the colour of a rose, faded from her cheek. And as she died, she said to Acca, who was dearest to her of all her companions, "Acca, my sister, my strength faileth me. Bid Turnus that he join the battle, and keep the men of Troy from the city." And she loosed hold of the reins, and fell to the earth; and the battle grew fiercer as she lay. [Illustration: THE DEATH OF CAMILLA.]