“I—fight—to save myself?”
“Would you let them lead you off like an ox to be pole-axed?”
“I have vowed——”
“God have pity on you, Martin Valliant. Where are your vows now? Blown to the winds. No, I’ll not suffer you to go with meek madness to your death. Answer me—will you not fight for your own life?”
He thought awhile, and then answered stubbornly, “No.”
Mellis drew a deep breath.
“Before God, then, will you fight for mine?”
He faltered, looked at her, and his face flamed to her challenge.
“For you? To save you?”
He bowed his head.