“Men!—for I scorn to call you friends!—it remains for you to choose between your duty or the punishment reserved for traitors. You may thank Heaven your wicked plans for this night have been foiled, and that, traitors though you be, you do not stand here as murderers also. Let those who refuse to return to their allegiance stand forward.”
Not a man moved.
“Then,” said Sigurd, “I demand a pledge of your loyalty.”
“We will prove it with our lives!” cried the men, conscience-struck, and meaning what they said.
“All I ask,” said Sigurd, “is, that not a man here breathes a word of this night’s doing. Besides yourselves, one man only knows of my being at Niflheim, and he has vowed secrecy. Do you do the same?”
The soldiers eagerly gave the required pledge.
“I leave you now,” said Sigurd, “at the post of duty. Let him who would serve me, serve my king.”
“We will! we will!” cried the men.
Sigurd held up his hand.
“It is enough,” said he; “I am content. And you, friend,” said he to the late prisoner, “will you accompany me home?”