United States or Uzbekistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Truly, if they ever do, I know which will fare worst," said Haldor, taking the axe and examining it, "Thou art fond of a weary arm, my lad, else ye would not have forged so weighty a weapon. Take my advice and leave it behind thee."
Here the fleet under Haldor and Ulf had already cast anchor.
At the point where we return to the hall, Ulf wore a very clouded brow as he sat with compressed lips beside his principal guest. He grasped the arm of his rude chair with his left hand, while his right held a large and massive silver tankard. Haldor, on the other hand, was all smiles and good humour. He appeared to have been attempting to soothe the spirit of his fiery neighbour.
Erling joined them with his band, and then it was seen that the two armies were not equal that of the Northmen being a little smaller than the other. Then Haldor said, "Let us draw up in a long line that they may not turn our flanks, as they have most men." This was done, and Haldor advanced into the plain and set up his banner.
My father thought it better to fall in battle than to go willingly into King Harald's service, or refuse to abide the chance of weapons like the Numedal kings." "That is well spoken," cried Haldor, after the shout with which this was received had subsided. "The Thing is at an end, and now we shall make ready, for it can be but a short time until we meet.
Accordingly, after brief repose, Haldor the Fierce, who had returned with Erling to his own house up the dale, arose and ordered the horn to be sounded for a Thing. Several hundreds of men had by that time assembled, and when they all came together they formed an imposing band of warriors, whom any wise king would have deemed it advisable to hold converse with, if possible, on friendly terms.
Here they all jumped ashore all except Kettle Flatnose, who, on attempting to rise, found himself so weak that he fell down again, and nearly fainted. "This is bad," said Erling. "But come, we have no time to waste. Give me the chief command of our men, father; I have a plan in my head." "Do as thou wilt," said Haldor, with a strange mixture of despair, resignation, and ferocity in his tone.
He listened with a heaving breast and beating heart indeed, but with his head bent modestly down, while on his flushed countenance there was a bright expression, and on his lips a glad smile which spoke volumes. His father felt assured, as he looked at him, that he would never bring discredit on his name. "Ye know the course," said Haldor; "away!"
The wail of despair which burst from some of them at sight of these, was, however, changed into an exclamation of joy when four of the band ran hastily towards them, and were recognised to be Haldor, Erling, Ulf, and Glumm! "Now thanks be to the gods," said Haldor, stooping to print a kiss on his wife's lips. "But but where are Hilda and Ada?"
When Erling and his men had gone far enough, they returned to the pass, and cheered loudly as they went, both because of the joy of victory, and because they saw the warships of their friends coming into the bay. King Haldor and his companions at once ran their ships on the beach near the mouth of the river, and, landing, drew them up, intending to fight on shore.
Word Of The Day