He threatened me with hanging! I cried to him to
send messengers to our quarters to prove the truth ere he slew me. He
commanded a warrior to return hither with me. When we arrived, the most
Christian chieftain was nowhere to be beheld--none knew whither he had
gone! We turned back again to the tent of the king; his warrior, whom
he honoured, spoke the same words to him as the Hun whom he despised.
Then the wrath of Alaric rose. "This very night," he cried, "did I with
my own lips direct him to await my commands with vigilance at his
appointed post! I would visit such disobedience with punishment on my
own son! Go, take with you others of your troop--your comrade who has
tracked him will guide you to his hiding-place--bring him prisoner into
my tent!" Such were his words! Our companions wait us without--lest he
should escape let us depart without delay.'
'And if he should resist us,' cried the other, leading the way eagerly
towards the door; 'what said the king if he should resist us?'
'Slay him with your own hands.
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