The Iron Arrow Head or The Buckler Maiden: A Tale of the Northman Invasion

blonde, were heavily streaked with grey. Numerous scars criss-crossed his face, which was of a brick-red hue, tanned and copper-colored b

cuirass, and now kept on only a jacket of reindeer-skin, blackened at several places by the friction of his armor, and that fell open from time to time, exposing his shirt and, under his shirt, a chest as hirsute as that of the bears of the northern sea. The pirate chieftain was just finishing his repast. Canons and a few other surviving dignitaries of the abbot served Rolf upon their knees. The friars looked haggard and were

the well upholstered easy-chair of the abbot. He had just placed a woman on each knee, when, back from his call upon the Beautiful Shigne, and at

kippers while wiping with the back of his hand his thick moustache, still wet wit

ol. "Nevertheless, we love to see the falcons transfixed with arrows, and the r

f the city

am the dean of the

isians defend

s to burn down the churches, levy ransoms on the rich abbeys and on t

racks of the swans,-unless I should take it into my head to settle down in this country of Gaul, the same as my comrade Hastain did when he settled down in the country of Chartres. He! He! my champions! I am growing old. Perhaps I should settle down in this country, in some fat province rich in pretty girls and good wine! Oh, my champions! As our saga sings: 'I am an old sea-crow; for nearly forty years I

ain, the pirates emitted loud roars o

ome maid belongs in your couch. Glory to the husba

Master Eidiol; what wild scheme is that which h

ched the apartment. Imprecations and threats were vociferated wildly. Presently the door burst ope

running towards the l

d Rustic, rushing upon the heels of the old skippe

ag my sister," answered Guyrion in despair. "I sought to defend them-t

ng to the chieftain of the pirates, he cried out in a thun

ates who rushed in with Guyrion. "This dog whom we bring her

tinued to empty cup after cup, answered in a husky voice: "Yes, my champions;

ied Anne the Sweet unconscious in their arms and depo

that we have reserved for you. She

heir company ran to the rescue of Anne, but they we

rion the Plunger, who, forgetful of his wound that bathed his forehead in blood, looked alternately with despairing ey

"He is a skipper, like myself, and he came to join

eeing that you, Rolf, and your men, ill-treat us poor people in such a manner

He rose, and trying to steady himself upon his feet a

l. And now, you, Parisians, return to your city; you

rn my daughter to me! Allow us to carry

d let them hurry to announce to Charles the Simple that-I want-

f their chief; and dragging the Parisian skippers despite all the resistance that