"And no Italian!" added Gunthamund. "Look at his golden locks--it is a Goth!" observed Hunibad. Hildebrand came forward--and started violently. "Torches!" he cried; "light! Yes," he added gloomily, taking up his stone axe, "it is a Goth! And I--I have slain him," he concluded, with icy calmness. But his hand trembled on the shaft of his axe. "No, master," cried Aligern, "he lives. He was only stunned; he opens his eyes." "He lives?" asked the old man, shuddering. "May the gods forbid!" "Yes, he lives!" repeated the Goths, raising their prisoner. "Then woe to him, and to me! But no! The gods of the Goths have delivered him into my power. Bind him upon thy horse, Gunthamund; but firmly. If he escape, it is at the peril of _thy_ head, not his. Forward! To horse, and home!" When they arrived at the camp, the escort asked the master-at-arms what they should prepare for their prisoner. "A bundle of straw for to-night," he answered, "and for to-morrow early--a gallows." With these words he entered the King's tent, and reported the result of his excursion. "We have a Gothic deserter among our prisoners," he concluded grimly. "He must hang before sunset to-morrow." "That is very sad," said Witichis, sighing. "Yes; but necessary. I shall summon the court-martial for to-morrow. Wilt thou preside?" "No," said Witichis, "exempt me from that. I will appoint Hildebad in my place." "No," cried the old man, "that will not do. I am commander-in-chief as long as thou keepest thy tent. I demand the presidency as my right." Witichis looked at him. "Thou art so grim and cold! Is it an enemy of thy kindred?" "No," said Hildebrand. "What is the name of the prisoner?" "Hildebrand--like mine." "Meseems thou hatest him--this Hildebrand. Thou mayst judge; but beware of exaggerated severity. Do not forget that I pardon gladly." "The well-being of the Goths demands his death," said Hildebrand quietly; "and he will die!" CHAPTER XVI. Early the next morning the prisoner, with his head covered, was led to a meadow on the north, the "cold corner" of the camp, where were assembled the leaders of the army and a great part of the troops. "Listen," said the prisoner to one of his escort; "is old Hildebrand on the Ting-place?" "He is the head of the Ting." "They are and will ever remain barbarians! Do me a favour, friend--I will give thee this purple belt for it. Go to the old man; tell him that I know that I must die, but I beg him to spare me, and still more my family--dost thou hear? my _family_--the shame of the gallows. Beg him to send me a weapon secretly." The Goth, Gunthamund, went to seek Hildebrand, who had already opened the court. The proceedings were very simple. The old man first caused the law of Regeta to be read aloud; then witnesses proved the taking of the prisoner, and afterwards he was led forward. A woolsack still covered his head and shoulders.