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

orable wind, steered for Paris since early sunrise of the next morning. The fleet numbered more than two thousa

eatly resembled the Roman galleys. Thick sheets of iron defended the flanks of the latter; a "kastali", a semicircular wooden tower from eight to ten feet high, rose at their poop. Posted upon the platform of these towers, the Northmans hurled against

ragons, double-headed eagles, fishes with the heads of lions, and other monsters-floated in the wind. The savage war-songs of the Northmans resounded far and wide, and were answered by and mingled with the joyful cries of the revolted serfs who followed the banks of the river and regulated their march by the progress of the fleet. At last the Northmans reached a part of the river whence were seen in the distance, across the evening haze, the steeples, towers and walls of the city of Paris, enclosed within a fortified island, at the extremity of which rose the cathedral. On the opposit

. The drekar resembled a gigantic dragon, whose copper head and scaly neck protruded from the prow that represented the monster's massive breast equipped with two folded and gilded wings, thrown backward and fashioned in such manner as to represent the coil of the marine monster's tail. In the middle of the huge square red sail of the drekar another dragon was designed. At its poop rose the ka

ivory horn and blew three times, giving a particular intonation to each blast. The chief of each vessel put his horn to his own lips and repeated the signal given by Rolf. Thus the signal ran from mouth to mouth, from one end of the fleet to the other. The war-songs of the pirates were hushed, and immediately, obedient to the order given by the blast from their chief's horn, the Northmans maneuvered their sails in such manner that their vessels remained motionless on the current of the stream. The holkers of Ga?lo and of Shigne

killed to-morrow. Become my wife this

opped at the sight of man, now felt veiled by a mist before the

r to me. I should consult him on your request. If he says yes, I will say yes, and from to-night I shall be yours." With

all precede the fleet; ply your oars a

ave obeyed you w

e taken it into my head to wed a maid of royal race!" And addressing Ga?lo, the pirate continued: "As to you, Ga?lo, you shall tell the Count of Paris that I shall want, together with the daughter, and for dower, the territory of Neustria. It is a rich and fertile region, and i

of Paris, who, for all answer, will have

re not back on my drekar, I shall set the city on fire, sack it, and kill all its inhabitants. If to-morrow, before the close of day, Charles the Simple has not grante

r back to you before sunset. I have requested Shigne to accept me for her husband this very nigh

ne the day that Rolf weds Ghisèle, the daughter of the King of the Franks! Go