He threatened me with hanging! I cried to him to send messengers to our quarters to prove the truth ere he slew me.

He commanded a warrior to return hither with me.

When we arrived, the most Christian chieftain was nowhere to be beheld--none knew whither he had gone! We turned back again to the tent of the king; his warrior, whom he honoured, spoke the same words to him as the Hun whom he despised.

Then the wrath of Alaric rose.

"This very night," he cried, "did I with my own lips direct him to await my commands with vigilance at his appointed post! I would visit such disobedience with punishment on my own son! Go, take with you others of your troop--your comrade who has tracked him will guide you to his hiding-place--bring him prisoner into my tent!" Such were his words! Our companions wait us without--lest he should escape let us depart without delay.' 'And if he should resist us,' cried the other, leading the way eagerly towards the door; 'what said the king if he should resist us ?' 'Slay him with your own hands.'.