“Sire,” said Olivier, “I have given my word not to yield my prisoner, and thou knowest I am a man who never violates his promise.” “S’death!” cried Charlemagne in a rage; “knowest thou, sir, that the first duty of a knight is to submit without restrictions to the orders of his king, and that all other oaths are as nothing before the oath of fidelity to his master.” After Olivier had retired, the emperor bethought him that he had a means whereby the scruples of Olivier might be overcome. He accordingly ordered Roland, the Archbishop Turpin, and the Duke de Naimes, to take Renaud from Olivier by force, thinking Olivier would accept this as releasing him from his word, inasmuch as Renaud would be taken from him by compulsion. Olivier, however, thought otherwise when the three envoys appeared at his tent, demanding Renaud; he drew his sword, and swore he would kill any man who endeavored to execute that order, even if he were the bravest in the army. Renaud, who had overheard all this contention, not being willing that Olivier should meet with disgrace on his account, then came forward and said: “Sir knights, I place myself in your hands, and hereby disengage Olivier of his word.” “I also disengage thee of thine,” cried Olivier, not to be outdone in generosity; “you may take your liberty,” continued he, “because you are my prisoner and mine only, and no person here has any right to you.” Charlemagne was furious; he ordered the rearrest of Renaud at once, and ordered him to be brought into his presence. Said he: “I shall recognize no pledges made to thee, prepare to die; nothing shall save you, now that you are in my power. I vow to you a death of the most frightful and degrading kind.” Having said this, the emperor gave an order for his heralds to go forward under the walls of Montaubon and announce to Maugis the punishment of his cousin. CHAPTER XIII. Charlemagne sought to establish his right for having taken Renaud in his power. The emperor called an assemblage of the highest peers of his court. Said he to them: