“So be it,” said the king.
“I crave his life, father,” said the Prince Nodwengo; “he is my friend.”
“A prince should not choose cowards for his friends,” replied the king; “let him be killed, I say.”
Then Owen, who had been watching and listening, his heart sick with horror, stood forward and said:—
“King, in the name of Him I serve, I conjure you to spare this man and those others that are hurt, who have done no crime except to be driven back by soldiers stronger than themselves.”
“Messenger,” answered the king, “I bear with you because you are ignorant. Know that, according to our customs, this crime is the greatest of crimes, for here we show no mercy to the conquered.”
“Yet you should do so,” said Owen, “seeing that you also must ere long be conquered by death, and then how can you expect mercy who have shown none?”
“Let him be killed!” said the king.
“King!” cried Owen once more, “do this deed, and I tell you that before the sun is down great evil will overtake you.”
“Do you threaten me, Messenger? Well, we will see. Let him be killed, I say.”