"Settle your own affairs between you." "Take him to yon tree and hang him, and have done," said Edric.
"Spear me rather," said I in a low voice to the men.
They laughed uneasily, but did not move, and Edric again bade them take me to the tree, which was about a hundred paces away.
They took me there and set me under a great bough, and then stood looking at me and the earl.

They had no rope, and the belts that bound me were of no use for a halter.

Edric saw what was needed, and swore.

Then he sent one of the men to the ships to get a line of some sort; and I think that his utter hatred of anyone who had seen through his plans made him spare me from spear or sword, for there is no disgrace in death by steel.

But at this time there seemed no disgrace in the death he meant me to die, for it was shame to him, not to me.
The ships were not so far off.