But as she spoke, Sven rose to his feet, gentle and forgiving as ever, ready to submit and suffer.
The men laughed again.
"That's right, my son," said Olaus, who was evidently the leader. "Just as well to come with a good grace. You'd have little chance against the lot of us."
But Mor Elversson was not the one to give up without doing all in her power. With a rapid movement she grasped the body of the snake that Olaus still held in his hand, wrested it from him, and flung it into the next room, placing herself before the door.
At that moment the outer door opened, and Joel came hurrying in.
"What's here?" he said, looking round. "What are you rioting here about? What do you want with Sven?"
Two of the men had sprung forward to force Mor Thala aside from the doorway; two of the others had gripped Sven by the shoulders and were thrusting him before them.
Without a moment's hesitation the old man flung himself upon them.
"Out with you! Leave the boy alone," he cried.
And suddenly Sven Elversson was himself again. Something within him was whispering: "Now, now is the time! Father and mother are fighting on your side."