Eric firmly by the arm, and looking very angry. After walking along a
passage, from the end of which confused noises came, a door was opened,
and in a large hall, round a great oak table, sat a company of
fierce-looking men, drinking from large flagons which stood before them.
Their faces were red, and their eyes gleamed like fire. Ralph placed
Eric on the table. One of the robbers was singing this song:--

"We're the famous robber band--
Hurrah!
The lords of all the land--
Hurrah!
A fig for law or duty,
If we only get our booty;
With a fa, lal, la, la, la!

"'Every man to mind himself,'
Hurrah!
Is the rule of Captain Ralph!
Hurrah!
Then let the greatest thief
And robber be our chief--
With a fa, lal, la, la, la!"

No wonder poor Eric trembled as he heard that lawless band thus glorying
in their shame, and like demons singing their horrid song in praise of
all that was most dreadful and most wicked. He had read stories of
robbers, which sometimes made him think that they were fine, brave
fellows; but now that he was among them, he saw how depraved, cruel, and
frightful they were. Their savage, coarse looks terrified him; but he
was held by Ralph on the table. When the song was ended, one of them
asked, "Whom have we got here?" "Who do you think?" replied Ralph. "What
would you say, my men, to a young prince,--no less than the son of our
great enemy, King Magnus?" "A young prince! The son of Magnus! What a
prize!" they exclaimed. "What shall we do with him?" "First of all, let
us have his gold belt," said Ralph, unbuckling Eric's belt. "Ha! what a
pretty thing it is!" "My father gave it to me, and I don't wish to part
with it. The swineherd Wolf tried to take it from me, but I fought him,
and kept it," said Eric. "Wolf is a brave young robber," replied Ralph,
"and he shall have it for his trouble. In the meantime, my lad, it is
mine. But what, my men, shall we do with the prince?" "Kill him," said
one. "Starve him to death," said another. "Put his eyes out, and send
him back to his father," said a third. Eric prayed to God, but said
nothing. "I propose," said Ralph, "to make him a captain if he will stay
with us." "Never!" said Eric; "I would rather die!" "Let him die, then,"
said a fierce robber; "for his father hung my brother for killing one of
his nobles." "I tell you wha