But I minded what our king had told me many a time: how that in the first christening of our people it had ever been held to be a denying of our faith to taste the heathen sacrifices, or to bow the head in honour, even but outward, of the idols, so that many had died rather than do so.

And he had praised those who thus gave up their life.
Then, too, I remembered the words of the Prior of Bosham concerning martyrs.

And we had been led to speak of them by this very question as to sacrifice to the Danish gods.

So I made up my mind that if I might escape notice, I would do so--and if not, then would I bear the worst.
So I fell asleep at last.

And what it may have been I know not--unless the wind as it eddied through the high windows clashed some weapon against shield on the walls with a clear ringing sound--but I woke with the voice of Bosham bell in my ears--and Rorik and Halfden each in his place started also, and Rorik muttered a curse before he lay down again, for he sat up, looking wildly.
But greatly cheered with that token was I, for I knew that help was not far from me, and after that I had no more fear, but slept peacefully, though I thought it was like to be my last night on earth..