The Secret Societies Of The Middle Ages

security . I declare him to be condemned and lost , so that any man may act towards him as towards any other capital criminal ; and I herewith pronounce the curse of the Yehm upon his flesh and blood . May his body never receive burial , but may it be borne away by the wind , and may the ravens and crows , and wild birds of prey consume and destroy it . And I hereby adjudge his neck to the rope , and ' his body to be devoured by the birds ancl beasts of the air , sea , and land : but his soul , I commend to the Lord of Heaven , if He will receive it . "

Having pronounced this awful sentence , AA'hich tho young man heard Avithout dismay , tho free count took a rope from behind his seat , and threw it into tho midst of the , somieircle . Six servants of the Yehm rushed forward , and while one took up the cord , the others seized upon the condemned prisoner . " I command you , " said the free count , addressing himself to the ¦

servitors of tho tribunal , ' ' to lead the criminal forth into the forest , and then , within tho hour , to fulfil this most just sentence . And according to usage , I do ordain , that as a sign of his having been executed by the holy Yehm , and not put to death by banditti or private enemies , ye do stick a dagger , bound AA'ith a cord , into the tree , whereto he shall be suspended by the neck . "

Then the prisoner raised his voice and said , — " I protest by all laws , human and divine , against this most foul and atrocious wrong , and I pray to Almi ghty God , that he will so move the heart of some good knight now present , as to induce him to report the deed " ' •' Silence , criminal ! " ejaculated the free count , The members of

the Yehm dare not mention what occurs in . the holy tribunal , even though the condemned were their brother , son , father , or dear friend . Away Avith him . " The servitors of the Yeinngorichte hurried the young man from the apartment , and this time , as they led him down the spiral staircase of the donjon , they did not bandage his eyes . There was no necessity for concealing the-scat of the tribunal from a man about to die ! * - ¦ :: * * *

All hope of escape seemed now vain : his OAVU rapier had been taken from him , and six drawn swords formed an impenetrable fence around him . He accordingly resigned himself to his fate , and now prayed fervently , but inaudibly , as he proceeded to tho place of execution . The portcullis was lifted up once more ; the massive gates were thrown

open ; the drawbridge was lowered , and the mournful procession passed beyond the precincts of the castle . The foremost of the servitors of the Yehm carried a torch which shed a lurid , glare around , aud the black smoke of which ever and anon swept over tiie countenances of those behind . Not a word was spoken as they thus pursued their way . In a short time , the party reached tho open space

where the little chapel stood . ' ¦ ' It is here that you are to die , " said the officer who commanded