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No man was about, and the bridge gates swung open for us. "They are in a hurry to get rid of us," said Thrand, as we went through and passed the last houses of the town beyond the river.
Thrand Squint Eye and Ogmund Sandy were the first of the Norsemen to fall. These two leapt down upon the deck of King Sweyn's dragon, where, after a tough hand to hand fight, in which they vanquished nine of the Dane King's foremost warriors, they were slain.
He welcomed Thrand and told him of the claim which Grim the Hersir had raised for Bjorn's estate. "To my thinking, kinsman," he said, "it is better that the property should go to you than to the king's thralls. It is a fortunate thing for you that no one knows of your having come here, for I expect that Grim will make an attack upon one or the other of us if he can.
"Do you find some barn at Chesterton over the water, and leave two or three men to watch for my coming. Thrand and Guthorm may come with me." Then they grumbled at my running into danger, but I would be obeyed, though I must let them bide on this side of the ford. We were but seven miles from Stamford town, and we went back at a hard gallop on the good turf alongside the paving of the Roman way.
I had but been stunned by the fall from my horse, and now seemed little the worse, save for sickness and dull weight of weariness. I had been an hour or two thus, as it would seem, for now the Danish host was gone, and only a few men sought for friends on that hillside, as Thrand had sought for me. My horse was dead, slain by the spear thrust that made him rear.
Ride on steadily, one on either side of me, and when we are twenty paces from them, if they yet bar our way, spur your horses and we will clear the road." "Swords out, master?" said Thrand. "No, spear butts ready; maybe they are friends. But I am in a hurry." So we rode over those four men, and I fear they were hurt, for we left two rolling horse and two men in the road.
"Who is this?" said one and he was Jarl Eirik. "No one worth having," said Streone, and reined round his horse to go on as if caring nought. They went on up the hill. I suppose that they were going there that Edric Streone might say who the slain were. As for us we went our way, and Thrand cursed the earl with every step.
They smote me badly enough when I tried to be revenged on Streone, and they slew Guthorm; but they only stunned me." "Go hence before Streone catches you," said I. "Not I," said Thrand. "He knows me not, and I shall wait for another chance. The Danes think me a Mercian, and so I bide with you. Can you fly now, master?" I tried to rise, but I was weak and shaken, and sank down again.
But Thrand of Colchester lives yet, being port reeve of his own town under Egil, my good friend. None have ever seen the White Lady of the Mere again, nor has aught ill befallen my thrall, who thought he saw her. I gave him his freedom when we were wedded, and he is over the herds for us.
I wished they would hasten, that was all. Now the horseman and his follower came up, and lo! Egil was the rider, and with him was Thrand. "Ho!" cried Egil, "hold hard. That is my man." Streone turned on him with a snarl. "Your man!" he said. "I took him. Hold your peace." "There you lie," quoth Thrand. "I took him myself for Egil, my master as your own men know. I told them."
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