It is good to die thus, and but for the boy I would be glad." "I do not think that he will be harmed," said Owen, "even if the worst comes to the worst." "Well, if I fall, try to get him hence.

After that maybe Erpwald will be satisfied.

I set him in your charge, brother, for once you have saved him already.

Fail me not." Owen held out his hand and took his.
"I will not fail you," he said--"if I live after you." Now from outside the voices began to be impatient, and Erpwald had been crying to my father to be speedy, unheeded.

But in the midst of the growing shouts of the heathen my father turned to the men and asked them if they were content to die with him for the faith.
And with one accord they said that they would.
Then with a thundering crash a great timber beam was hurled against the gate, shaking its very posts with the force of the six men who wielded it at a run, and in the silence that fell as they drew back Erpwald cried: "For the last time, Aldred, will you yield ?" But he had no answer, and after a short space the timber crashed against the gate again and again.