clenched hand.

Then Ebarvin, his accuser, stepped forward, saying:

"These questions were hard and undeserved. Few among our people will
suspect that from the King of the Ebergau. He spoke truly: he might
have fled long ago, but he would not escape. I believe him. I have
known him ever since he learned to speak: he has never lied. He wants
to die, from resentment against the people's league, and perhaps also
from remorse and shame."

The King, deeply moved, hastily turned away from the speaker and closed
his eyes, but instantly opened them again with a defiant look.

"Well then, I, a free man of unblemished reputation, with broad lands
in the Ebergau--I answer for him with life and limb, property and
honor. I will swear for him that any deed of arms imposed by the people
to ransom him from the rope King Ebarbold will perform, or he will fall
upon his shield in doing it."

"I thank you, Ebarvin," said the tortured man, drawing himself up to
his full height: this confidence was balm to his inmost soul.

"So be it! So be it!" shouted the multitude before the judge could put
the question. "The Duke shall choose the deed!"

"Well then," said the latter without hesitation, "it _is_ chosen! In
the Roman camp is a hero who is its head and its whole strength; if he
fall, all their military power will be broken. Name the man!"

"Saturninus!" echoed from many voices. For the Tribune had repeatedly
commanded the Roman troops in Germany, and many of the men now
assembled on the Holy Mountain had formerly served beneath the Roman
eagles.

"Ebarbold, bring us from the battle the head of Saturninus--and your
guilt is pardoned. Will you do this, hero of the boar?"

"I will," replied the latter, with a deep sigh of relief. "Give me my
sword; give me my weapons again." The shield-bearer handed him the
sheathed sword. Tearing the blade from the scabbard, he held its point
toward the sun, saying: "I swear by this blade, the sacred symbol of
the one-armed god of war, that, in the next battle, I will slay the
Tribune, or fall by his sword."

Loud shouts of applause now burst forth. All, even those whose
resentment at first had been most bitter, were heartily glad that,
instead of a disgraceful punishment, an honorable deed of ransom had
been found for the proud King.

The Duke gazed down at the surging throng with satisfaction.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

After allowing the excitement of the multitude