"My two companions, as well as myself, hesitated whether or not to enter the hut, when its door opened and a richly dressed young woman stepped to the threshold; two little girls were with her. One of them, a child of about five or six years of age, clung to the folds of her mother's robe, while the latter held another girl of about twelve by the hand. The young woman looked depressed; her eyes were in tears; behind her I saw a warrior, whom I readily recognized as one of the three favorites of Chram, Imnachair, the identical warrior who witnessed the torture to which I was subjected at the burg of Neroweg." "Were that woman and children Chram's family? It has always seemed strange to me that such monsters should at all have families." "Those were my very thoughts, Kervan, when the young woman, noticing our traveling bags on our shoulders, asked us with marked anxiety whether we came from Nantes, and whether we had any news of a battle that must have been fought there." "'We can give you no information upon that, madam,' we answered her, 'we did not even know that there were any armies drawn up for battle.' "Suddenly one of the slaves who must have been stationed on the lookout over the crest of the rock, ran towards the hut crying: 'Horsemen! We see far away, in a cloud of dust, a number of horsemen riding at full gallop in this direction!' "'Death and fury!' cried Imnachair stamping the ground and growing pale. 'It is Chram--the battle is lost!' "At these words the poor young woman fell down upon her knees, clasped her two daughters to her heart, and I could hear but the moans and sobs of the mother and her children. "'Quick! Quick! To the boat!' shouted Imnachair. 'Slaves, unload the mules; take to the boat the cases that they carry; and you, madam, hold yourself ready to embark!" "The precipitate tramp of galloping horses was heard approaching, also the clank of armors, and even voices, that, although confused, sounded furious. "'It is my husband!' cried Chram's wife, growing deadly pale. 'But his father is pursuing him! Do you not hear those cries of death?' "Imnachair listened. 'Yes,' said he; 'it is the voice of King Clotaire! Flee, madam; flee, you and your children! Let us run to the boat--we shall soon row ourselves out of danger. It will soon be too late!' "'Flee without my husband--never!' answered the young woman convulsively pressing her two children to her heart. "Cries of 'Kill him!' 'Kill him!' 'Death!' 'Death!' grew more distinct every instant. Those who uttered them were now no more than three hundred paces from the hut. King Clotaire headed the pursuers. "'Come, madam!' shrieked Imnachair seizing the young woman by the arm. "'No!' she answered resolutely. "'If you are determined to wait for Clotaire, I must leave you!' cried Imnachair. 'Adieu, madam!' saying which he ran to the boat.