The whole top of the peak around the tree was inclosed and girdled by "cords and staves"; that is, by hazel wands and spears, which--the latter with the iron points uppermost--stood thrust into the earth at distances of seven feet apart, and were bound together by linen bands almost a hand's breadth wide, knotted around the middle of the staffs, the red hue of the bands proclaiming that the popular assembly was to judge matters of life and death. CHAPTER XXXIV. After the surging to and fro of the men pressing forward into the circle, the loud voices, and the clank of weapons had somewhat died away, the Duke raised his spear and struck with it three solemn strokes on the bronze shield. Instantly deep silence reigned. "The assembly is opened!" said Hariowald, and slowly took his seat, crossing one foot over the other. Throwing back the long, full, dark-blue mantle, fastened by a clasp on the left shoulder, he rested his spear like a staff on his right shoulder, and raising his left hand with the fingers extended, said slowly: "I, the Judge, I ask you for the law! I ask you, ye free men: Is this the hour and the place, To have and to hold A judgment righteous Upon noble Alemanni, The sons of victory-- House and estate. Cattle and chattels, Money and lands, Peace and liberty, Body and life? Point out, ye men of knowledge, The law to the Judge." Two elderly men stepped forward, drew their swords, raised them toward heaven, and said with long pauses, the words of one always blending with those of the other: "We will point out, as we know it, To thee, Judge, the law: This is the hour and the place For judgment righteous: On the conquered and inherited Ancient soil of the Alemanni, By the all-conquering sun's Clear, shining, ascending, Radiant light, Beneath the ancient Ash of our fathers, In Odin's temple, On cattle and chattels, Money and lands, Peace and liberty, Body and life, Justly we judge And find, we free men, Sentence righteous." Both withdrew into the circle. "Before we march forth to the battle against the foe," the Duke now broke the silence, "and we shall set out soon, very soon--" Loud shouts of joy and rattling of weapons burst forth, which the old noble allowed to die away; then he continued: "The popular assembly must first pronounce judgment and decide questions of justice and law. First on Fiskulf, the fisherman, from Rohr-Mos, the rush marshes. Where is the accuser?" Adalo stepped forward hesitatingly. "Here: I, Adalo, son of Adalger." "Step to the right. Where is the defendant?"