THE SIXTH BOOK 157 who wrote this letter at the bishop's order." But the bishop cried out and said that this man had often devised clever tricks to cast him out from his ofhce, and the king was moved with pity and com- mending his cause to God he let them both go, interceding with the bishop for the deacon and begging the bishop to pray for him. And thus the bishop was sent back with honor to the city. But after two months count Nunnichius who started this scandal died from an apoplectic stroke and as he was without children his prop- erty was granted to several persons by the king. [23. On account of the birth of a son king Chilperic releases prisoners and remits taxes. 24. Gundovald, who claims to be a son of Clothar, returns to Gaul from Constantinople and is received by bishop Theodore of Marseilles who is thereupon seized and held prisoner by king Gunthram. 25. Prodigies. 26. Gunthram Boso is charged with bringing Gundovald to Gaul ; he says that Mummo- lus is guilty of this and promises to bring him to king Gunthram.] 26. . . . Now duke Gunthram took with him the men of Clermont and Le Velay and went off to Avignon. But by a stratagem of Mummolus rotten boats were ready for them at the Rhone. They embarked on them without suspicion and when they came to the middle of the river the boats filled and sank. Then being in danger, some escaped by swimming and a number tore planks from the boats and reached the shore. But a good many who had less pres- ence of mind were drowned in the river. Duke Gunthram however reached Avignon. Now Mummolus on entering the city had seen to it that as only a small part was left which was not guarded by the Rhone, the whole place should be protected by a channel into which he led water from the river. Here he had dug holes of great depth and running water concealed the traps he had made. Then upon the coming of Gunthram Mummolus cried from the wall :
- ' Since we are men of good faith, let him come to one bank and I
to the other, and let him say what he wants." When they had come Gunthram said from the other side — it was this arm of the river that was between them — "If you please I will cross, because there are some things to speak of in secret." Mummolus answered : Come, don't be afraid." Thereupon he entered the water with one of his friends — he was wearing a heavy coat of mail — and immediately when they reached the hole in the river the friend sank under the
