The Last of the Vikings

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The next three years were ones of immunity from the rapacity of the Normans, so far as we were concerned, for they never ventured so far north. But in the year 1069, whilst William was absent in Normandy, there was a powerfu

dress and demeanour, were these Danish leaders. They were deeply bronzed and hardy-looking, rough and fierce as warrior seamen who had been wont all their lives to do battle with foes on land, and often with the fiercer and still more deadly foe of old ocean. They carried daggers at their belts, and heavy swords dangled by their sides. The young chieftain Oswald, whom we have already introduced to the readers, was there. The few years of stress and struggle since last we met him had had a marked effect upon him. He had stood by Harold's side at Stanford Bridge, and marched with him to Hastings, and stood in the forefront of that historic "wedge" of sturdy Saxons, who defied the utmost efforts of William's horse and foot to dislodge them. The

s a hesitancy, irresolution, and lack of force depicted in his countenance, and a wariness and suspicion about his small, shrinking grey eyes, that were the reverse of re

cres. This gallant knight comes as emissary of a still more famous Norman, the Count de Montfort, whose lance wrought such havoc in our ranks at Hastings. Count de Montfort has good and weighty reasons against the king, or his councillors, for the base ingratitude with which his services have been rewarded; and he offers to join hands with us, and will lead into the field seventeen knights, fully equipped and

ang to his feet and said, "Noble sir, no doubt the credentials presented by this Norman knight are such as meet with your approval, but I would respectfully urge that no one should sit at

ng my conduct called in question by a mere youth; and what is sufficient for me must be sufficient for such as you, and without cavil. What say our Danish all

owever, proceeded to discuss the question in a very unpromising fashion, the discussion being char

s reared aloft his st

tage. We might by this time have sacked Shepfield, Leacaster, and Birmingam, where they tell me the gold-smiths', armourers', and weavers' crafts are flourishing, and

for we expect the Saxons of the south will rally to the standard of the Prince. We also have to remembe

ho cannot be brought to the fray? We want the spoils, and there is none to be had cowering here like a fox in his hole. If we are not to

sted by the advent of a messenger who suddenly burst into the room, with the pe

hast thou which calls for

ou that the Norman is back again in England, and that he is rapidly marching north

ats and promptly slid out of the room in dismay at the tidings. The Danish rovers were not slow to note this arrant cowardice, and one of them immediately jumped to his feet in fierce exasperation at this conduct, and sneeringly shouted, "Ha, ha! the Saxon caitiffs are slinking off at the ment

ting to his feet at these taunts; "let me tell you the Saxons have thei

n the land, or simper as chastely as any wench. Virtues! Ha, ha! Ho, ho! Maugre! Virtues by the bushel, I warrant you, sirs. Marry, anything,

is for a moment. Your memory does not seem quite long enough to remember Battle-bridge and the precious figure cut by your countrymen on that occasion against the Saxon; and yet it i

n the tricky Scot, come when they list to crow on the Saxons' dunghill? How comes it also, my valiant Saxon cub, that you should ask us to come and help you fight this dog of a Norman? Read me that riddle, can you, boy? You besought us to co

feet and turned to his comrade, and between them a brief and excited conversation was carried on in an undertone; the result being that immediately the pair hurriedly withdrew from the room. Oswald, who had been watching th

ng his comrade Beowulf to the door. "There is something ominous i

that breeds this fear and distru

leaders. 'Tis not fear that has overtaken these Danes, mark me, but something more potent. They are at best but hirelings, and are as treacherous as the

t his looks at all. The coward's blood forsook his cheek instantly at the mention of the Norma

o be done,

d to turn tail like a whipped hound ere we have see

ears, I would not answer for it. Indeed, if William be within striking distance we must bestir our

t any definite plan of attack or of defence-a ready prey for a wily and daring commander. In bitter dejection, a

ontfort. "Ha, ha, my precious!" said he, turning the missive over and eyeing it with savage delight. "I'm glad I kept possession of you. You are a treasure! I'll not part with you yet awhile," and he carefully thrust the letter back again within his doublet. "Ha, ha!" said he, scowling demoniacally, "De Montfort will finger that missive no more until he makes good his bargain with me. I'll have his proud daughter as the price of this, or we'll see what will come to pass. I have my own belt to buckle as well as De Montfort; and I'll do it now after my own humour. I'll no longer dangle like a moonstruck suitor at my lady's skirts, and wag my tail like any spaniel if I should chance to get a word or a smile. I have been meek and humble long enough; but now Vigneau shall be first, for I have got him! Trapped, by --! He thought he would play the traitor, did he? fool and do

roved to be an emissary of the wily Conqueror-his purpose being to negotiate with the Danes, and with Waltheof

n gold, and a free passage for your vessels, together

s. "But come now, if your master will make it one thousand ounces, to be delivered over by sunset to-morrow; together with our plund

it. The gold shall be delivered over t

cely necessary to say, he grasped only too eagerly at the promised free pardon, coupled as it was with large grants of land and estates. With th