"At every limb I shudder, I shudder at the sorrows that afflict our people. I shudder at the thought of the event that took place, That has just taken place in the town of Kemper, That took place at Kemper just a year ago.
"Katelik walked her way as she counted her beads, When three monks in red, all three Templars were they, And armed at all points, joined Katelik; three monks, Astride of their huge barbed steeds, Barbed from mane down to hoofs.
"'Come with us, you pretty young maid; Come to the convent with us. Neither gold will you want for, Nor eke silver coin.' 'May it please, Sires, your graces, Not I will join you in your ride,' Said young Katelik. 'I fear your swords, That hang by your sides. No, Sires, I shall not, nor can I go with you. Too wicked the tales that one hears about you.'
"'Come with us, come to the convent, young maid. Feel not alarmed about us.' 'No, I shall not proceed to the convent. Seven young maids of the fields Once went there, 'tis said; Seven handsome maids, ripe for their nuptials they were. Yet they never came out from the convent again.'
"'If seven young maids,' cried up Gonthram of Plouernel, One of the three monks in red, 'If seven young maids went in, You, pretty maid, the eighth will be.' With this she was seized, And pulled up on horseback; With this the three rode to the convent in hot haste, The maid laid across the saddle, And gagged to smother her cries."
"Oh, the poor dear girl!" exclaimed Jeanike, clasping her hands. "And what is to become of her in that convent of the red monks?"
"You will learn presently, my lassy," answered Gildas with a sigh; and he proceeded with his recitation:
"Seven months later, or eight, Or perhaps even more, Great was the dilemma of the monks in their Abbey, 'What, brothers,' they said, 'Shall with this girl now be done?' 'Let us bury her, to-night let us bury her, At the foot of the main altar. None of her folks will there seek to find her.'"
"Great God!" cried Jeanike. "They must have killed her, those bandit monks, and were in a hurry to rid themselves of the body."
"I tell you once more, my lassy, these people with helmets and swords are always up to some mischief or other," remarked Gildas dogmatically; and he proceeded: