XLV.
I will give two thousand crowns to any man who shall deliver over to me Louis Perez, dead or alive.—Calderon: Louis Perez of Galicia.
“BARON VŒTHAÜN, colonel of the Munkholm musketeers, which of the men who fought under your command at Black Pillar Pass took Hans of Iceland prisoner? Name him to the court, that he may receive the thousand crowns reward offered for the capture.”
The president of the court thus addressed the colonel of musketeers. The court was in session; for according to old Norwegian custom, a court from whose sentence there is no appeal cannot adjourn until the sentence has been carried out. Before the judges stood the giant, who had just been led in again, with the rope round his neck from which he was soon to hang.
The colonel, seated at the table with the private secretary, rose and bowed to the court and to the bishop, who had reascended his throne.
“My lord judges, the soldier who captured Hans of Iceland is present. His name is Toric-Belfast, second musketeer of my regiment.”
“Let him stand forth,” replied the president, “and receive the promised reward.”
A young soldier in the Munkholm uniform stepped forward.
“You are Toric-Belfast?” asked the president.
“Yes, your worship.”