Ned, the son of Webb

tral hall of Vebba's house. "One of those other bui

in the middle of the floor. Around this were the cooks with kettles, gridirons, and saucepans of entirely familiar shapes. There was no smoke, and instead of it there was an unpleasant smell of burning charcoal. He

noon might be the dinner-hour, upon this occasion there was a variation. Not only the fishermen of the fam

which he was held and the place he might sit in. Vebba himself was evidently of high degree, and he took his seat in the high-backed middle chair behind the table with great dignity. At his right was Madame Vebba, as Ned called her, or Wiltna, and at his left was a short, black-haired woman who wore a gold bracelet and a high cap. She might

ups and pitchers are of wood. Made with hoops like little pails. They make all sort

t entirely thoughtless thing that he did wa

nd fork,

see! He hath no cutter.

tten that he was not at home. There was not on

or a napkin, nor a tabl

taught other tongues. It is well. Thy father is wise with thee. When the pries

. "I spoke in English. W

replied

glad to see

uch as he, and he cometh here to teach against the old gods of the North. Mo

about their being heathen, bu

many preachers, and most of the people

erstood to be a matter of course

s fingers. Salt, but no pepper. Fair butter. Pretty good bread. This is goat mutton, is it? I like

undant, fish, flesh, and fowl. The fish, especially, were all that

d Norse society to ask too many questions of a guest. Strangers were welcome to come and go, and would simply be treated according to their degree while there. In fact, much o

household, all of lower degree getting their provi

and they came in armour, bringing weapons with them. While they were being welcomed by their hosts

coats of thick leather, with or without plates of metal before and behind; short-handled and long-handled battle-axes, with single-edged and double-edged blade-heads of curious shapes; spears, heavy a

have a revolver, anyhow, or a repeating rifle that would carry a mile. It

ame time the hall was growing lighter. It had been somewhat dusky, but now a strong glare was reddening over the walls and the black rafters of the roof. The servants had brought in upright, three-legged cressets of iron-work. That is, at

or coal gas, or kerosene. Hullo! They're going to work at the forge. I

ef could afford such an affair as was that forge in the house of Vebba. There was a charcoal fire upon its masonry now, however

hot piece of steel to the anvil, up went a hammer in his strong right hand, and the thudd

rge a

mer s

cleave

throug

hall me

ammer! Ha

steel for

ch stanza. Somewhat slowly the meaning of it all began to dawn upon the mind of Ned, the son of Webb. This was not mere forge-work; not the manufacture of one blade more

omething else is coming, I kno

Through this doorway had come a fiercely ringing blast of a powerfully blown war-horn, and now, striding for

da the King! All is ready for Britain, save this last of thy keels. Let it follow thee. Be tho

ee and to thy message from Harold Hardrada! Bide

idden to say to thee and to all, that the hosts of the Northland and the lithsmen of Tostig Godwinson the Earl must be in England to claim the land for their own before the muster of William of Normandy can cross th

d it appeared to be out of order to ask him further questions. At the same time, however, all

bb, and as he departed the harpers once more struck up a roaring battle-song

Ned, and at that moment a he

order of Vebba, the chief. I will show thee thy arms and armour,

ide of the old Viking. "It is but six leagues to rid

hen he corrected himself and replied in Norwe

the harpers, he thought he had never seen anything else half so wonderful. The men had caught weapons and shields from th

ithout any crest, like one which Lars showed him as his own, and it had a nose-piece in front as well as a back neck-piece behind. He put it on, and it did not hurt, for it wa

Even old fighters need to harden a little, after a long peace. Put it

aid Ned, and he pulled on over his out

art. The belt by which his sword-sheath was to be suspended had also a strap to go over his right shoulder, the better to

ghted. It was a slightly curved short sabre, sharp on one edg

some day. These are thy spears and thy shield and thine ax. Fight thou well before the e

to swing it well. The shield was round, steel-rimmed, of thick, hard-faced hide, having thongs within for a left arm to pass th

or mine can bend a battle-bow. Not one man in ten can bend the bow of Vebba, the son of Bjorn, and th

ll this armour compared to our two-foot steel plates? I'm glad I'm to have a horse, t

d at one corner into the main dwelling or hall. In it, around the sides, were four broad benches, upon each of which were wolf-skins and

lf. "Well, it's bed enough for a soldi

upon them. Tired, exceedingly tired, he stretched himself upon his w