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"I will not fight against thee for my life," replied Ingo; "thy royal head is sacred to me, even though thou hast intended evil by me. And never will I cause the reputation of thy wife to be dishonored by shedding thy blood or mine before her couch. If I must be killed, I do not complain if thou do it thyself; strike, then, oh King, and thanks to thee for thy guest-present."

As the King bent down to raise his sword, there was a sound from below of clamor and war-cries, and Ingo hastened out. "Curse upon me, I have forgotten the danger of my comrades in my own. I hear the song of my swans; I come. And thou, King, beware; I shall find that which will compel thee." With stormy haste he burst out of the door, and the King whispered hoarsely, "Those who await him know not compassion;" and he hastened after him with brandished sword.

But Ingo sprang down only a few steps, to where he had left his sword, then down to the chamber of the young son, who slept with the Hero Balda, beneath the apartment of the Queen. He caught up the child from his bed, pressed him in his arms, and whispered to him, "Help me, Hermin! I am threatened with destruction; I will do thee no harm, if my comrades are not injured by the King."

The boy hung sleepily against his arm, and clasped him round the neck. "I will willingly help thee, cousin," he said, unsuspiciously. Before the old warrior could rise from his bed, Ingo carried the boy to the Queen's door, where the King sprang toward him with his sword. But Bisino drew back dismayed, when he perceived his child under Ingo's knife. "Go forward, King Bisino," cried out Ingo, imperatively; "prepare the way for me; I hold what compels thee. The life of thy boy is surety for the heads of mine. Farewell, Queen; pray to the gods that the King's house may not be shattered this night!"

The men hastened down the stone steps. Gisela listened motionless to the noise at the foot of the stairs. Did she wish that he should escape, who had pledged the life of her son? Whether he himself would return to her room in the tower, or the King, or neither of them, were the thoughts that stormed through her soul; she felt hatred against him who did not desire her help, and yet burning anguish about his life, and fear about the return of the King. She sprang to the window, and looked out into the darkness. She heard distant muttering and shrill cries, then all became still; she saw a glimmering of light, but it also was extinguished; the night remained dark and uncertain, like her own fate. Ingo stood on the last step before the door of the tower. "Drive away thy hounds, oh King, that their teeth may not touch thy son." The King stepped forward unwillingly, and waved away his watchers. Ingo sprang forward, past him, like a flying stag, to the apartment of his men. The King could not keep up with him, however much he hastened.

About the dwelling stood the bands of the King's boys, armed with shield and spear, many also with torches in their hands. On the ground in front of the steps blazed a red flame, throwing an uncertain light into the dark room, and on the wild faces of the Vandals. "Why do the screech-owls blink in the light, and turn their looks downward?" cried out Berthar from the steps. "I wonder that the King's boys are afraid of the base work; they are, as I hear, accustomed to kill by night. They are considered quite shameless among the people. Are they afraid that my sword should strike the brand of their torch-bearer? Approach nearer, ye good-for-nothing cowards, that ye may be cursed before all people as peace-breakers. Come on, that my boys may prepare you for your last journey."

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