features, as well as the bright youthful countenance of his son.
'I take Almighty God to witness,' cried he, 'that I had no evil
thought against this house! But surely I must have fallen unawares
amongst heathens; it cannot be that I am in a Christian knight's
castle; and if you are indeed heathens, then kill us at once. And
thou, my beloved son, be patient and of good courage; in heaven we
shall learn wherefore it could not be otherwise.' I thought I could
see those two fearful ones amidst the throng of retainers. The pale
one had a huge curved sword in his hand, the little one held a spear
notched in a strange fashion. Verena tore open the window, and cried
in silvery tones through the wild night, 'My dearest lord and
husband, for the sake of your only child, have pity on those harmless
men! Save them from death, and resist the temptation of the evil
spirit.' The knight answered in his fierce wrath--but I cannot
repeat his words. He staked his child on the desperate cast; he
called Death and the Devil to see that he kept his word:--but hush!
the boy is again moaning. Let me bring the dark tale quickly to a
close. Biorn commanded his followers to strike, casting on them
those fierce looks which have gained him the title of Biorn of the
Fiery Eyes; while at the same time the two frightful strangers
bestirred themselves very busily. Then Verena called out, with
piercing anguish, 'Help, 0 God, my Saviour!' Those two dreadful
figures disappeared; and the knight and his retainers, as if seized
with blindness, rushed wildly one against the other, but without
doing injury to themselves, or yet being able to strike the
merchants, who ran so close a risk. They bowed reverently towards
Verena, and with calm thanksgivings departed through the castle-
gates, which at that moment had been burst open by a violent gust of
wind, and now gave a free passage to any who would go forth. The
lady and I were yet standing bewildered on the stairs, when I fancied