I showed them Heliodore in all her loveliness standing against the tree, the drawn dagger in her hand.
Now from those that Jodd had summoned there went up a roar of "No," while even the rest were silent. Irene sprang forward and cried,
"Are my orders to be canvassed and debated? Obey! Cut this man down or take him living, I care not which, and with him all who cling to him, or to-morrow you hang, every one of you."
Now the soldiers who had gathered also began to form up under their officers, for they saw that before them was war and death. By this time they were many, and as the alarm spread minute by minute more arrived.
"Yield or we attack," said he who had taken command of them.
"I do not think that we yield," answered Jodd; and just then there came a sound of men running in ordered companies from the direction of the Northmen's barracks where Jodd's messenger had told his tale.
"I am sure that we do not yield," continued Jodd, and suddenly raised the wild northern war-cry, "Valhalla, Valhalla! Victory or Valhalla!"
Instantly from three hundred throats, above the sound of the running feet that drew ever nearer, came the answering shout of "Valhalla, Valhalla! Victory or Valhalla!" Then out of the gloom up dashed the Northmen.
Now other shouts arose of "Olaf! Olaf! Olaf! Where is our General Olaf? Where is Red-Sword?"
"Here, comrades!" roared Jodd, and up they came those fierce, bearded men, glad with the lust of battle,
