eedom of discord and consequent
destruction!"

The glowing wrath of enthusiastic conviction transfigured the old
Duke's noble face.

CHAPTER XX.

Ebarbold wished to cast a venomous glance at him, but was forced to
lower his eyes in the presence of such lofty dignity. His lips curled
bitterly as he replied:

"Beware, Hariowald. Your title is Duke, not King; and your reign ends
when this war is over. According to your desire, it seems, one man must
rule the Alemanni. From the earliest days we have had kings and counts
of the provinces; but woe betide us if all the districts ever become
the slaves of one king of the people."

"Are the gods slaves because _one_ rules them as king?" The old Duke's
voice sounded threatening.

Ebarbold answered evasively: "But here on earth we Alemanni have equal
rights. And rather than--"

"Why do you hesitate?" asked Adalo angrily.

"He hesitates because he shrinks from uttering his thoughts. But the
Lofty One gave me the power to read the minds of men upon their brows
like explained runes."

Flushing and paling, Ebarbold started up.

"This son of Ebur thinks," the Duke continued, "that rather than obey a
king of the Alemanni he would serve the Caesar."

Now Adalo sprang from his seat.

"And suppose it were so," cried Ebarbold, "would you prevent it? In a
few weeks, when the leaves fall, your command of the army will end. But
meanwhile--"

"Meanwhile I counsel you to obey."

"You?"

"Not me," the old man answered, with immovable composure, "but the
Council which rules all the provinces--even yours, the Ebergau and its
King. But sit down again, hot-tempered hero! And Adalo, hand him from
the wall of the tent where it hangs, the mead horn. The heron of
forgetfulness will rustle over our heads, bearing away on its wings the
words of wrath and discord."

The two young men took their seats again. While the wild bull's horn,
tipped at both ends with bronze, was passing around the circle,
Ebarbold said: "Even if we should conquer this time and drive this
band of Romans from the country--we have learned the lesson often
enough--others will come to avenge those who are defeated. So it has
been for many generations."

"But so it will be no longer," the Duke answered slowly. "That is
provided for. The evil she-wolf is surrounded by too many dogs at once.
She can no longer raise her left paw to aid her right: the Goth is
holding it firmly on the