"I was wicked, cruel, base, deceptive," she replied; "words cannot paint my wickedness. But I was punished for my badness by peril such as I have never yet known; and when really running a danger which I thought but to affect the better to lure our destined victims to their doom, I was rescued from the grave by them, by the very boys—brave, brave boys—whom I sought to destroy. Now," she added, turning bodily to the assembled brigands, "can you ask me why I have changed my tone?"
A dozen voices were heard at once, and all uttered different sentiments.
"These prisoners are mine by right," said Theodora, "for I have taken them, I have brought them here; it is for me to dispose of them."
Some few of the brigands agreed to this; but the majority, overruled by Toro and Hunston, denied her jurisdiction altogether in the matter.
The girl made a passionate appeal to the assembled brigands. But all in vain.
They were resolved.
It was put to the vote, and the result was easily foreseen.
Death.
Death by a majority of voices as of ten to one.
"Death at the gibbet," exclaimed Hunston, triumphantly.