“First of all, let us have his gold belt,” said Ralph, unbuckling Eric’s belt. “Ha! what a pretty thing it is!”
“My father gave it to me, and I don’t wish to part with it. The swineherd Wolf tried to take it from me, but I fought him, and kept it,” said Eric.
“Wolf is a brave young robber,” replied Ralph, “and he shall have it for his trouble. In the meantime, my lad, it is mine. But what, my men, shall we do with the prince?”
“Kill him,” said one.
“Starve him to death,” said another.
“Put his eyes out, and send him back to his father,” said a third.
Eric prayed to God, but said nothing.
“I propose,” said Ralph, “to make him a captain if he will stay with us.”
“Never!” said Eric; “I would rather die!”
“Let him die, then,” said a fierce robber; “for his father hung my brother for killing one of his nobles.”