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Their foes gave way right and left, the gangways round the sides were cleared, and, despite the threats of Liot, his men began to spring from forecastle and quarter-deck into the ships behind. "Forward, king's men! forward, men of Estein!" roared Ulf. "Wait for me, Liot!" cried Estein, charging the poop with his red shield before him." A bairn is after thee!"
But Liot Borson had put his mortality beneath his feet; nothing could have forced a cry from him. His face changed as a green leaf might change if a hot iron was passed over it; but he sat grasping the rude arms of his wooden chair, disdaining the torture while it lasted, and smiling triumphantly as it partly passed away. "A few more such pangs and the fight will be over, David.
"It is true your word brought me here, but I think it was Liot who called me by you." "It was not. When my tongue speaks for any Borson, I wish that it may speak no more! I like none of them. Liot is good at need on a winter's night; but even so, all his stories are of dool and wrong-doing and bloody vengeance. From his own words it is seen that the Borsons have ever been well-hated men.
"You need ale, Estein," said his opponent; "a man going to fight should be gay." "It is more fitting," replied Helgi, "for the man who comes back to be cheerful." "Well said," said Ketill. Liot only laughed, and springing ashore before the boat had touched the rocks, cried, "I had little thought to have such a pleasant morning. We will finish what we began before, Estein."
And some of the young girls whispered to Karen, "When Liot Borson opens the door, then you will see the handsomest man in the islands." "I have seen fine men in Yell and Unst," answered Karen; "I think I shall see no handsomer ones in Lerwick. Is he fair or dark?"
To Bele he said nothing of this spiritual superiority, and yet it was obvious in his constant air of disapproval and dissent, in his lofty silence, his way of not being conscious of Bele's presence or of totally ignoring his remarks. "Liot Borson mocks the very heart of me," said Bele to Matilda one day, as he gloomily flung himself into the big chair she pushed toward him. "What said he, Bele?"
Like them, he had had his time of sojourn, and his place knew him no more. As for Liot, he was happy. He set his sails, and covered David more warmly, and then lay down under the midnight stars. The wind was at his back, and the lonely land of his birth passed from his eyes as a dream passes.
For many days these favorable circumstances continued, and Liot and David were very happy together; but as they neared the vexed seas which lash Cape Wrath and pour down into the North Minch, Liot had enough to do to keep his boat afloat. He was driven against his will and way almost to the Butt of Lewis; and as his meal and water were very low, he looked for death in more ways than one.
"He and his ill-looking crew make a mighty noise. Has any man heard of Liot Skulison or Osmund Hooknose before?" "Ay," answered Ulf. "They call them the bairn-slayers, because they show no mercy even to children." "They will meet with other than bairns to-day," said Helgi. Estein and Thorkel had been employed in binding the two vessels together with grapnels.
Estein sprang from the poop and clove one man to the shoulders. Another fell to Ulf's sword. The half- stunned Liot was seized by one of his followers, and bundled back on board his ship; and for the time the day was saved. "After them! after them, Ulf!" shouted Estein, and twenty bold Norwegians followed their leader in the wake of Liot's retreating boarding party.
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