"I rely on your faith, dear Sampso. I depart happy in the knowledge of your sisterly affection, and of Ellen's love. I shall return happy, above all if I shall have been able to leave a fresh mark on the face of a certain king of those Frankish skinners of human bodies, as a token of acknowledgment for the loyalty of the hospitality that he yesterday bestowed upon me. But here I am armed. A kiss to my little Alguen, and then to horse!" As I was about to proceed to my wife's room, Sampso held me back, saying: "Brother--what of the strange woman?" "You are right, Sampso; I forgot all about her." As a matter of precaution I had locked Elwig's room. I knocked at the door and called out to her: "Shall I come in?" I received no answer. Alarmed at the silence I opened the door. Elwig sat on the edge of the couch with her head in her hands, in the identical posture that I saw her last. "Did sleep bring you rest?" "There is no more sleep for me!" she answered brusquely. "Riowag is dead! I weep for my lover!" "My wife and sister will take you at noon to Victoria the Great. She will treat you as a friend. I announced to her your arrival in our camp." The sister of Neroweg, the Terrible Eagle, shrugged her shoulders with indifference. "Do you need anything?" I asked her. "Would you eat or drink?" "I want water--I am thirsty--" Despite the priestess' refusal to eat, Sampso went for some provisions--a pitcher of water, some bread and fruits--and placed them near Elwig, who remained motionless and mute. I again locked the door and gave the key to my wife, saying: "You and Sampso will take the poor woman to Victoria at noon. But be careful that she is not left alone with our child--" "Do you fear anything?" "Everything is to be feared from those barbarian women; they are as wily as they are ferocious. I killed her lover in defending myself against him; she is quite capable of strangling my child out of vengeance." You came running in at that moment, my child. Hearing my voice from your mother's room, you left your bed and came half naked to me with your little arms outstretched, smiling with pleasure at the sight of my armor, the brilliancy of which pleased your eyes. Time pressed; I embraced you, your mother and aunt tenderly. I then proceeded to saddle my horse, my good and strong Tom-Bras,[2] whom I named in remembrance of our ancestor Joel, who also gave the name of Tom-Bras to the spirited stallion that he rode at the battle of Vannes. Sampso and your mother, the latter of whom took you in her arms, accompanied me to the stable. Your aunt helped me to put on the bridle, and, caressing his sinewy neck, said to the war steed: "Tom-Bras, do not leave your master in danger; save him with your swiftness, if need be; defend him like the brave Tom-Bras of old who, as he bore the brenn of the tribe of Karnak, attacked the Romans with his hoofs and teeth."