proceeded to join the
guard.

CHAPTER XI.

The next morning, when Alf's guard was relieved, he marched his men by
the market place. Horrible was the sight which there awaited him. The
square before St. Lambert's church was converted into an immense
slaughter yard, and filled with human flesh. A great number of
unfortunates were bound to stakes and shot through; a part of whom had
bled out their lives, and a part were still writhing and twisting in
the agonies of the death struggle. Others lay upon the bloody pavement,
some hacked to pieces with the sword and some beheaded, The ranting
Knipperdolling in his robes of office, his face flushed, with naked and
blood-sprinkled arms, was continually and unweariedly swinging his
broad executioner's sword over victims, who, either voluntarily or
forced by armed men, were kneeling before him.

'Left wheel!' commanded Alf, averting his eyes; and he led his men
through side-streets and by-ways to the company's parade ground.

As the men were separating, and Alf proceeding to his own quarters, he
was met by poor Clara, who came to him, her eyes red with weeping, and
with despair depicted on her countenance.

'Will you grant me a private conversation?' said she; 'it concerns my
life--and though you may deem that of little consequence, still your
heart is too good not to feel a sympathy for an unfortunate being,
whose last hope is in your protection.'

'In God's name, what is going forward?' asked Alf, alarmed, leading the
maiden into the garden adjoining the house. 'Speak, dear Clara, and
open your heart to me. My blood for thee!'

'The chief prophet and the twelve judges,' answered Clara, 'have
published a mandate, by which a plurality of wives is not only allowed
but commanded. Not to avail one's self of this spiritual license, is
deemed a crime. Spies search all houses and drag forth the marriageable
maidens; who are compelled to marry instantly. I hoped to find a
defence of my maiden honor in my insignificance; but the hideous
Tuiskoshirer has selected me for his third wife. Rather than consummate
my ruin by giving my hand to that disgusting madman, I would jump into
the river Aa, and there find an end to my life and my afflictions.'

'With God's help,' cried Alf, 'you shall neither jump into the river,
Clara, nor into Tuiskoshirer's arms; in which indeed you might find
worse repose. Is the old wizard mad, that he lifts his eyes to