rust the Huns.'

'The curse of heaven on their pudding faces and pigs' eyes! There will
be no love lost between us. But there are not twenty of them scattered
in different troops; one of us can thrash three of them; and they will
be sure to side with the winning party. Besides, plunder, plunder,
comrade! When did you know a Hun turn back from that, even if he were
only on the scent of a lump of tallow?'

'As for the Gauls and Latins,'.... went on Wulf meditatively, 'they
belong to any man who can pay them.'....

'Which we can do, like all wise generals, one penny out of our own
pocket, and nine out of the enemy's. And the Amal is staunch?'

'Staunch as his own hounds, now there is something to be done on the
spot. His heart was in the right place after all. I knew it all along.
But he could never in his life see four-and-twenty hours before him.
Even now if that Pelagia gets him under her spell again, he may throw
down his sword, and fall as fast asleep as ever.'

'Never fear; we have settled her destiny for her, as far as that is
concerned. Look at the mob before the door! We must get in by the
postern-gate.'

'Get in by the sewer, like a rat! I go my own way. Draw, old hammer and
tongs! or run away!'

'Not this time.' And sword in hand, the two marched into the heart of
the crowd, who gave way before them like a flock of sheep.

'They know their intended shepherds already,' said Smid. But at that
moment the crowd, seeing them about to enter the house, raised a yell of
'Goths! Heathens! Barbarians!' and a rush from behind took place.

'If you will have it, then!' said Wulf. And the two long bright blades
flashed round and round their heads, redder and redder every time they
swung aloft.... The old men never even checked their steady walk, and
knocking at the gate, went in, leaving more than one lifeless corpse at
the entrance.

'We have put the coal in the thatch, now, with a vengeance,' said Smid,
as they wiped their swords inside.

'We have. Get me out a boat and half a dozen men, and I and Goderic will
go round by the canal to the palace, and settle a thing or two with the
guards.'

'Why should not the Amal go, and offer our help himself to the Prefect?'

'What? Would you have him after that turn against the hound? For troth
and honour's sake, he must keep quiet in the matter.'

'He will have no objection to keep quiet--trust him for that! But
don't forget Sagaman Moneybag, the best of all orators,'