Ned, the son of Webb

s and cabins. There were also comfortable farmhouses and the half-fortified residences of the richer landholders. To all sorts of people, the fishermen had broug

entered upon landing had been found nearly emp

his young friend. "The horses were fetched along to pull them and not for riding

ing," said Ned. "Tostig lost his earldom by being cruel to

. It's a pity, indeed, about the cattle and horses, my boy. I'm afraid we will ge

that?" a

re will be fresh pork in camp. All the big houses, too, have more or less bacon in them and dr

he son of Webb, distinguish himself by the miraculous rapidity with which he kindled a camp-fire. He was likely to become a favourite with

done that evening, even Sikend broiling h

of beef, brought in. "I suppose it is what army men call foraging, and it's another name for plunderi

he dull glare of these shone upon polished shields and armour, here and there. He could see, too, the dim shapes of sentries and patrols, standing still or

emed to keep him awake, was a continual dull

f a fellow gets up before daylight and looks out of a window it is all pretty still until he listens. Then he will hear something like this, a good deal like the roar of a waterfall. Then, as the morning goes alo

that mighty hum, but it was not yet sunrise w

ing for both of you. We will eat our breakfast at once, and then we'll be off. I h

and reaching for his mail. "Of all thi

er, may be prepared and eaten without much waste of time. Neither Lars nor Ned felt like m

en. We have bridles but no saddles, and I've ridden that way many a time in Ireland, bless her! Not that these Mercia p

y were not properly to be called ponies, being larger and heavier than the shelties of Scotland or the small horses of Wales. They belonged to a peculiar bre

he Earl is wise. He gave out that all spies might come and go freely.

replied Ned. "Hardrada isn't going to win in that

as yet in shape for a great battle. It would be well for him to advance with great prudence until his full strength should be with him, and he was doing so. The same kind of caution might have been

r, which seemed to Ned to be under pretty good cultivation. Empty, desolate, abandoned were all

ath forbidden fire, to the great discontent of many. Of what good indeed

ly, "if thou art in the advance on the morrow, or the next

s will come for many. I shall die no cow's death. I would that Thor and his hammer

. "And men like him call themselves Chri

id Ned, the son of Webb. "Alfred t

ted missionaries from Ireland,-men, like myself, that could read and write. I am glad, my boy, to be here now an

de were dense woods. Forward dashed the four horsemen, headed by the now excited missionary, a

distance back from the middle of the hamlet was an ancient-looking timber-built manse or large farmhouse, and around this was a pretty strong stockade, bordered by a deep ditch. This was the local fort, into which

gh! The wolves of Norway! They are putting fire to the stockade, to burn a hole in

eel work. It's a good thing they didn't have any parlour matches. One cartridge o

. The poor folk in the fort belong to his earldom. Ride in with me,

r they may slay us all for interfering. I have spli

ing, and well they might. Several of the angry marauders assailing the stockade were chopping at it f

fast, rendering the ditch of small account as a defence. Down to the ground sprang Father Brian, at that moment, pole-ax in hand, and down dropped Ned, while Lars and Leif, the son of Beo, bravely followed them. Here, therefore, stood the four scouts, like heroes, with their backs to the ga

hey take scalps, but they'll kill women and children as if they were so many Sioux Indians. I su

bid ye hold your hands. By the order of Harold the King and Tostig the Earl!

d only to blow a strong blast on his war-horn,

. With him is Vebba's house-carle. The boy with a strange tongue I know to be a lithsman of Tostig the Earl. Were we to slay him, we were but lost me

the stockade. "Upon that pledge we will open the gate. We belong

, the son of Webb, hath the right in this matter. He doeth well

, for all the Northmen could be trusted to do no unnecessa

than thou art, and there are black looks sent at thee. Thou hast

friends were getting upon their horses. In a minute more, all the open spaces of t

, while Leif, the son of

ith that black-haired son of Earl Godwin. He smiteth suddenly

, and all could hear the loud, clear tones of the questions and answers which follo

ame him not, but let him beware how he interfereth too much. I have many a head to strik

s return as a victor would bring woe to many. At this point, nevertheless, t

n to Leif. "Had we not stayed that slaugh

So may the Angles, for else they were all dead ere this. T

miles from the river to the city gates. The king will stri

"I would not miss seeing that battle

d. "Serve Tostig, if thou wilt, but strike not any of thine own peop

imed Ned. "I want a good

uld be enough of them to make a strong front at any place where the men of Northumberland might meet them. Not with the vanguard, but between two solid bodies of Northern spear