“They came here,” responded Richard; “several men who interrupted the game of chess I was playing with your son. They put their hands on me, and I killed some of them, and put the rest to flight, that is all. It is no reason because I am your prisoner why your people should insult me.” [Illustration: CATHEDRAL OF MOUZON.] “We do not omit politeness here,” said Maugis, “and I know perfectly well all the laws of chivalry. It is for that reason I am acting this way. Charlemagne has abused me and has dishonored me. I simply retaliate. You are my prisoner. I shall give you up to execution, that is my right. Have I treated you the way my brother Richard was treated, when he was condemned to the gibbet, and from which he escaped only through the courage of his brothers? No, he was covered with chains like a criminal. I would not subject you to that. I would employ no violence with you, but you must realize that my soldiers came here to fulfill orders they had received. There is only one way for you to escape death, that is to join my service and become my friend.” “That is impossible,” replied Richard. “I have sworn an oath of fidelity to the emperor, and I never violate my oath.” “Then you must be resigned to die. It is useless to lose any more time in discussion that amounts to nothing.” “Ah, well! let us go,” said Richard. “I know well the greatness of your heart, and I deliver myself to you, believing you incapable of a mean action.” The Duke de Normandie forthwith surrendered, and was escorted to the place of execution. Maugis had made preparations for that sorrowful ceremony, so as to give it all the formidable display possible. All the troops were under arms. At the last moment Maugis again appealed to Richard: “Brave knight,” said he, “it is most painful for me to send to execution a man of such courage and honor—renounce then the emperor, I pray thee, and join us in seeking to attain peace.” “No,” replied Richard, “I have sworn homage to Charlemagne, and though I die because of his fault, I will not break my oath. If it depended upon me to grant thee peace, I could ask for nothing better; therefore grant thou me delay that I may send word to the emperor.” Maugis at once called a herald, bidding him to take the instructions of Richard and go with them to Charlemagne. “Tell him,” said Richard, “that I am at the foot of the gibbet, to which I am attached ready for the signal of death, and that I supplicate him to grant my demand for peace. You will also beg of Roland and all the peers to seek to obtain the peace on which my life depends.”