“I will not have it, I tell you. Gold is useless to me. Men will sell their soul, but they do not sell their life. That must be taken by force.”
“Then I may tell the miners that the terrible Hans of Iceland accepts their leadership, but not their gold?”
These words, uttered in curt tones, seemed to strike the pretended envoy from the rebellious miners very unpleasantly.
“What?” he asked.
“No!” repeated the other.
“You refuse to take part in an expedition which presents so many advantages?”
“I am quite able to pillage farms, lay waste villages, and massacre peasants or soldiers, single-handed.”
“But consider that by accepting the offer of the miners you are assured of a free pardon.”
“Does this offer also come from the miners?” asked the other, with a laugh.