"What shall we do with him?"
"Misericordia! Gnade!" said the prisoner, who now began to recover his speech and strength.
"Give him a kick and let him go," said one. "We are Christians, and fear no devilry."
"At least I will mark you first, so that we may know you if we meet again," cried one of the soldiers named Vitikka, renowned for his strength and brutality. He flourished his sword several times round the monk's head, and then with two dexterous strokes cut off both the prisoner's ears, before he could be prevented by his comrades. It was most skilfully accomplished.
"St. Peter could not have done it better," said Vitikka laughing.
Those who were standing around turned away. Although they were accustomed to the cruelties of war, this was too savage even for them.
Bleeding, the Jesuit crawled away on his hands and feet. But long afterwards his voice was heard from the darkness:
"Accursed Finns! May the eternal fires consume you!"
"Our Father, which art in Heaven," a voice exclaimed from the group of soldiers. And all uttered the prayer with devotion.