sign in its way.
Another good sign, and that one which could not be mistaken, was to seethe warriors coming in by twos and threes as the news reached them. Theywere dotted along the roads from all quarters, and across the heaths wesaw the flash of the arms of more.
And ever as they met us they hailed us with, "What cheer, comrades? Isthe news true? Is Havelok come to his own?" and the like, and they wouldhurry on, rejoicing in the answer that they had.
But I will say that presently, when we passed a stretch of wild moorwhere we saw no man, the same was going on towards the town of Hodulf;for if the news came to a village, some would be for the king that was,and other and older men for the king that might be. Yet all asked thatquestion; and more than once, when they heard the reply, there would bea halt and a talk, and then the men would turn and cast in their lotwith the son of Gunnar, hastening to him with more eager steps than hadtaken them to Hodulf.
CHAPTER XXI. THE TOKEN OF SACK AND ANCHOR.
It seemed only the other day that I had passed over the well-known ways,and I showed Withelm the hollow where Grim had met with the king andtaken his precious burden from him. Then we passed along the wild shore,and the linnets were singing and the whinchats were calling as ever, andthe old mounds of the heroes of the bygone were awesome to me now aslong ago, when I looked at them standing lonesome along the shore withonly the wash of the waves to disturb them. And so we came to the townat high noon, and already there was the bustle of a gathering host inthe place, for the news had fled before us.
They had built a new and greater hall in place of that which had beenburned; and there sat Hodulf with his chiefs, wondering and planning,and maybe waiting for more certain news of what had happened. Not longwould they wait for that now.
We rode to the door, and one came to meet us with words of welcome,thinking that we were men who came to the levy that was gathering; buthis words stayed when I asked to be taken to the presence of Hodulf, asI came with a message from Havelok Gunnarsson the king.
The man, chamberlain or steward, or whatever he was, stared at me, andsaid in a low voice, "It is true then?"
"True as I am Radbard Grimsson, who helped Havelok to fly from hence."
"Unwelcome will you be, for Hodulf is in no good mood," the man said. "Ihardly think it safe for you to trust yourself with him."
"Then," said I, "open the door of the hall, and I will go in with mymen, and see what he says."
"Well, that will be bad for me, but I have a mind to see Havelok."
So I told Withelm to come at my side, and bade half the courtmen followus closely, and when they were inside to see that the door was notbarred after us on any pretence. The rest would bide with the horsesoutside.
Then we loosed the peace strings of our weapons, and in we went, quietlyand in order; and the chiefs turned to look at us, thinking us more ofthemselves. Hodulf sat on his place on the dais, and there werethirty-one others with him, sitting on the benches that were set alongthe walls. Withelm counted them.
Then the door was closed, and the man with whom I had spoken set hisback against it, but it was not barred; and I went forward to the stepsof the high place, and stood before Hodulf.
"Well, what now?" he said, seeing that I was a stranger.
"First of all, I ask for safe conduct from this hall as a messenger fromking to king."
"That you have, of course," he answered. "What is your message?"
It did not seem that he thought of Havelok at all, but rather that Icame from some king to whom he had sent. There were two living not sofar off. I thought that there was no good in beating about the bush, forsuch an errand as mine had better he told boldly. So I spoke out for allto hear.
"This is the word of Havelok, son of Gunnar the king, to Hodulf ofNorway, who sits in his place. Home he has come to take his own, and nowhe would tell you that the time has come that he is able to rule thekingdom for himself."
"And what if he has?" said Hodulf, without the least change of face, asif he had been expecting this, and nothing more or less.
But if he was quiet, the chiefs had heard my words in a very differentway. Some had leaped up, and others bent forward, to hear the answer tomy words the better. I heard one or two laugh; but there were some onwhose faces seemed to be written doubt and anxiety. I think that somewould have spoken, for Hodulf held up his hand for silence, and lookedto me for answer.
"It will be well for you to give up the throne to him, making such termsas you may," I said.
"That is a fair offer," said Hodulf, quite unmoved, to all seeming, butlooking at me in a way that told me how his anger was held back by mainforce, as it were; "but how am I to know that this one who sends so bolda message is the real Havelok? I am not a fool that I should give up mythrone to the first who asks it. Doubtless you bring some token that youcome from the very son of Gunnar."
"It is right that you should ask one, and also that you should have onethat there can be no mistaking," I said. "This is it. By the token ofthe sack and the anchor I bid you know that Havelok sends me to you."
At that the face of Hodulf became ashy grey beneath the tan of wind andsea, and I saw that his hand clutched the hilt of his sword so that theknuckles of his fingers grew white. He had never thought to hear of thatdeed again, and he knew that he had to deal with the one whom he hadthought dead. Some of the young chiefs in the hall laughed at thattoken, but he flashed a glance at them which stayed the laugh on their lips.
"I know not what you mean," he said, altogether staggered.
"It is right," I said, "that if the token is not plain I should make itso. It is but fair also to the chiefs who are here."
Then he stayed me. True it is that old sin makes new shame.
"I will take it as enough," he said hastily. "I mind some old saying ofthe kind. Ay, that is it--a hidden king and a voyage across the sea.It is enough."
"Not enough," said a chief in the hall close to the high seat. "Let thiswarrior say what he means plainly."
There were many who agreed to this, and I did not wait for Hodulf anylonger. I told them who I was, and then showed them why that token wasto be held enough for any man; and as I spoke, there were black lookstoward the high seat among the older men. As for Hodulf, he sat with aforced smile, and seemed to listen indulgently, as to a well-made tale.
And after that the matter was out of my hands, for the same chief whohad asked for the tale came and stood by my side, and he faced Hodulfand spoke.
"For twelve years have I served you as king, and now I know that I havewasted the faith I gave you. What became of the sisters of Havelok?Answer me that, Hodulf, or I will go and ask their brother concerningwhom you have lied to me."
"Go and ask him," answered Hodulf, biting his lips; "go and hear morelies. Who can know the son of Gunnar when he sees him?"
"That is answered out of your own mouth," said the chief. "Is Sigurd afool that he should hail the first man who asks him to do so?"
And from beside me Withelm answered also, "Maybe it is a pity thatGriffin of Wales was slain last night in trying to kill Havelok. He knewhim, and I have heard that he came here to warn Hodulf that his time wascome."
Hodulf's face grew whiter when he heard that; but it was what he needed,as some sort of excuse to let loose his passion.
White and shaking with wrath and fear, he rose up and he cried,"Murdered is Griffin! Ho, warriors, let not these go forth!"
Whereon the old chief lifted his voice also, "Ho, Gunnar's men! Ho, menwho love the old line! To Grim's son, ahoy!"
And he drew his sword, snapping the thongs that had bound it to thesheath, so manfully tugged he at them in his wrath, and there was a rushof men to us, and another to Hodulf.
Now I think that we might have slain him there, and after that have beenslain ourselves, for the odds were against us, even though I had thecourtmen; but that was Havelok's deed to do, for the sake of father andsisters to be avenged, and so we only cut our way out of the hall to thedoor, which my men threw o
pen at once. There were two of Hodulf's menhurt only, for the most of them had run to the high place, and few werebetween us and our going. So we took five chiefs and their followersback with us, and that was worth the errand.
We thought that it would not be long now before Hodulf was on us; butthe days passed, and there was no news of him, and all the while we grewstronger. I do not know if the same could be said of him, and it isdoubtful if time made much difference to his forces. Those who followedhim were the men who owed all to him, either as men raised to some sortof power when he first came, or else strangers whom he had brought inwith him. Some of the younger chiefs of the old families held by himalso, for they had known no other, and then there were old feuds withGunnar that held back some from us; but these few took part with neitherside.
So before a week was out we had a matter of six thousand men in andabout the town; and it seemed that, with so good a force, it was as wellto march on Hodulf as to wait for him. And that was good hearing for usall, for there was not a man who did not long to be up and doing, thoughto smite a blow for Havelok should be the last deed that he might do.
They made me captain of the courtmen who were Havelok's own, maybebecause I had served with Alsi, and Withelm was captain of Goldberga'sown guard. High honour was that for the sons of Grim, for there was notone in either of these companies but was of high birth; but then we wereHavelok's brothers, and all seemed well content to serve under us. Iwanted Raven to be in my place, but he said that he was no warrior on shore.
"Just now I am Havelok's watchdog, to be at his heels always. Presently,if he likes to give me a ship when we sail to England, that will suit me."
So Havelok made him his standard bearer; and as that would keep him atthe king's side in the thickest fight, he was well pleased. Goldbergawrought the standard that he bore, with the help of Sigurd's wife, andon it was the figure of Grim, sword and shield in hand, but with hishelm at his feet, as showing that he had laid it by; and on either sideof him stood Havelok and his wife, each with a crown above their heads,as though they waited for the coming time when they should be set therefirmly by the bearing forward of this banner. Havelok bore his axe,holding out the ring to Goldberga with the other hand, while she had hersceptre in the left, and stretched the right hand to her husband. Therewere runes that told the names of these three, for that is needful insuch work, as it passes the skill of woman to make a good likeness, nordo I think it would be lucky to do so if it could be compassed. Wondrouswas the banner with gold and bright colours, and it was hung from agilded spear, ashen hafted, and long, that it might be seen afar in battle.
Now on the day when Havelok set his men in order for the march on Hodulfword came that he was coming at last. It is likely that he knew we wereon the point of marching, and would choose his own ground on which towait for us. So we went to certain battle, as it seemed, and none weresorry for that. So in the bright sunshine of a cloudless morning Havelokand Goldberga rode down the line of the men, who would fight to thedeath for them, and those two were good to look on. Day and nightSigurd's weapon smiths had wrought to make a mail shirt that should beworthy of a king, and I thought that they had wrought well. They had seta crown round the helm that they made for him, and Sigurd had given hima sword that had been his father's at one time, golden hilted, and withrunes on its blue blade. But Havelok would not part with the axe thatGrim had given him, plain as it was, and that was his chosen weapon.
But for once I think that men looked more at her who rode at Havelok'sside than at him, goodly and kingly as he was in the war gear. ForGoldberga had on a silver coat of chain mail, and a little gold circletwas round the silver helm that she wore, while at her saddle bow was anaxe, on which were runes written in gold, and a sword light enough forher hand was in a gem-studded baldric from her shoulder. There was achief who had given her these, and it was said that they had first ofall belonged to one who had fought as a shield maiden at the greatbattle of Dunheidi, by the side of Hervoer, the sister of the mightyhero Angantyr. His forefather had won them at that time, and now theywere worn by one who was surely like the Valkyries, for no fairer ormore wondrous to look on in war gear could they be than our English queen.
She would have gone even into the battle with Havelok, but that neitherhe nor we would suffer. She was to bide here in the town until we cameback in triumph or defeat; and as men looked on her, they grew strong,that no tears might be for those bright eyes.
Now I left them before the march began, for I and the courtmen were togo forward and see where the foe was posted, and so bring word again.And we went some five miles before we saw the first sign of them. Thenon a rise in the wild heath waited a few horsemen, who watched us for alittle while, and then rode away from us and beyond it. We followedthem, and when we came to where they had been, we saw that they hadfallen back on a company of about the same strength as ours, save thatthere were more horsemen. I was the only mounted man of my little force,and that rather to save my strength than because I liked riding. Ishould certainly fight on foot, as would Havelok himself, in the oldway. It is not good to trust to the four feet of a horse when one meansbusiness.
We bided where we were, waiting to see what these men did, and soonbeyond them grew the long cloud of dust starred with shifting sparksthat told us that the host of Hodulf was on foot and advancing. Itseemed to me that here we had a good place to meet it, for the land wentdown in a long slope that was in our favour, and therefore I set a manon my horse, and sent him back with all speed to Havelok to bid himhasten. Our host was not so far behind me, and I could see both fromthis hill. We had full time to take position here before Hodulf's armywas in reach.
Now it seemed that the foemen would see what they could also, and theybegan to move toward us. It was plain that we should have a small fighton our own account directly, for I did not mean to let them take ourplace. We moved, therefore, toward them, and at that the half-dozenhorsemen made for us at a trot. Then I saw that their leader was Hodulfhimself.
We were in a track that led across the hill, and here on the slope itwas worn deep with ages of traffic between the two towns, and on eitherside the heather grew thick and high, so that the horsemen could not getround us. So Hodulf rode forward to where we barred the way, and told meto stand aside.
"What next?" I asked. "I may as well bid you go back, for I came here tostop you."
"Come over to me, and leave this half-crowned kinglet of yours. It shallbe worth your while."
"Hard up for men must you be, Hodulf," said one of my courtmen, laughing.
At that he made a sign to his followers, for they came on us at thegallop, with levelled spears. We closed up, and hewed the spear pointsoff, and then dealt with the horses and men who foundered among us, andthey struggled back, leaving three men and four horses in the roadway.It was bravely done, too, for there were only eight of them, and theydid us no harm beyond a bruise or two. I wished that we had taken orslain Hodulf, however, for that might have made things easier in the end.
Hodulf got back to his courtmen, and now they came on. At that momentover the hill behind us rode Havelok and Raven, and saw at once what wason hand. They had ridden on, but the host was hard after them.
"Send a man to bid the host halt," Havelok said to me, "for we can endthe matter here. Now shall I be hand to hand with Hodulf, even as Iwould wish."
I sent a man back as he bade me, and he stayed the host half a milebeyond the hill, where they were not seen. Hodulf's army was yet twomiles away across the heath, and none had gone back to hasten it.
Now Havelok went forward, holding up his hand in token of parley, andhis enemy rode from his men to meet him.
"There is much between us, Hodulf," Havelok said, "and we have beentogether along this road before. Yet for the sake of the men who followus it may be that we can make peace."
"That is for me to say," answered Hodulf, "for you have invaded my land,and are the peace breaker."
"I might mind you of a blood feud between us two," said Ha
velok, "butthat is not the business of the host. For the sake of the land I willsay this. Give up the throne that you have held for me, and you shall gohence with what treasure you have gathered, taking your Norsemen withyou. There will be no shame in doing that, for I am able now to hold theland for myself."
Hodulf laughed a short laugh.
"Fine talk that for the son of Grim the thrall, who drowned Havelok forme! 'Nidring' should I be if I gave up to you."
"If things must go in that way, we will settle the matter here and now.Will you that we fight hand to hand while our men look on, or shall wego back to them and charge? I like the first plan best myself, as Iwould avenge my father and sisters, and also that insult of the way inwhich we passed this road together twelve years ago."
So said Havelok, and his words fell like ice from his lips, and he wasvery still as he spoke, though the red flush crept into his cheek andhis brows lowered.
And Hodulf did not answer at once. He looked at the towering youngwarrior before him, and maybe into his mind there crept the thought ofthe children whom he had slain, whom this one would avenge. Well he knewthat the true Havelok was speaking with him, though he would not own it,and branded my father with the name of thrall for the sake of insult tohis foster son.
At last he said, "We will go back to the men, for you have advantage inthat bulk of yours."
"As you will," answered Havelok. "Twelve years ago that was on your side."
He reined round at once, and touched his horse with the spur withoutanother glance at his enemy. And then we shouted, and Raven spurredforward with a great oath, for Hodulf plucked his