of Hungwa

hope to reach Edgiva in time to save her. Down he went, and he smote the waves and sank

f Osbert the Dane had bitten deeply; but strong was he with h

eyes and glanced around; and there, floating away now on the ebbing tide, her golden

ed upon the fair little face, which was now slowly sinking beneath the waves; and he gave a loud cry and leaped sheer out of the water, as the salmon leaps when it climbs the

he was faint and could swim no more. So he turned on his back and floated, letting Edgiva's golden, crowned head rest on his bos

cried to Hald the Constable; and now one of the King's boats was coming over the w

Wulnoth son of

aided him, for they gathered over his head, screaming shrilly; and when Hald saw that, he knew that thither he must go, and he gave order and the boat

ended by the Queen herself; for Queen Wulfreda was skilled in healing. And search was made through the land for the nithin

er own; and so soon the sick ones awoke from their slum

ng praised Wulnoth, and asked him what he would choose as his gift,

should not be taken from his neck, but that instead of gifts he should be scourged,

serve, O King," he said; "for I h

none would have dared to tread the birds' r

the collar from his father's neck, and give Cerdic five hides of good land, so that he shall be noble

thrall collar should be taken from his neck; and then Reinbaldus the scald made a son

m wave, over

xon came, to

e anger of Ber

Olfa, and the

ng Wulnoth to

thrall, friend o

Edgiva deep in

waster roaring

anger, he th

e Guthred! wo

succor came W

ife alone, slew

e them lies th

aitor, Osbert

ward blow, Wuln

Raven Rock, Le

waves hurled h

ethra's King, Os

ow turned when t

ghtened hare, swi

token bore he

aven Rock, in th

iva, Edgiva

th sleep backwar

ds' road rushe

gry waves brave

imson blood mark

c's son, Wulno

irds' road, s

n to Cerd

oal to

g and a true song, and that Wulnoth was worthy of honor. And they called the Raven's Rock "Wuln

ught to have been standing on guard rather than lying there taking his ease so that Osbert the Dan

n it. I will warrant me he will never now be found asl

e, for here was Wyborga's prophecy fulf

long ships appeared, each with its huge sail, each with its long pennon, each with its sides bright with the long rows of shields hung over the bulwarks, each propelled by banks of long oars;

hips of Regner Lodbrok, the son of Sigurd, it will be a hard fight and a long that we shall have;

on of Sigurd," said the King, who s

O King?" he asked.

m blood," he said, "but I fear it wil

ered Hald. "If we must lose our ships, better to man them and lose them in th

it

gathered in the King's hall, for there alone might be found safety for them. And all the cattle were driven

ide of the Prince, "so at last we are really to see the man's game p

loves brave men, and not cruel like some-not like his two sons, Hungwar and Hubba; for where they go there is the cry of

. "I know not the story

ust know that this Regner Lodbrok, the son of Sigurd, loved a

va," cried Wulnoth jealou

flames at them. But Regner Lodbrok[1] heard of this, and he swore by Thor that he would slay the monster and free the Lady Thora. So he took skins of oxen, and thereof he made clothing to cover all his body, from the feet to the neck, and thus covered he went to the cave and

man's deed, and if such a foe is coming, thou and

as said. In this battle the King, my father, is to be slain, and I am to become a sla

se not to forget me? And if you may, afterwards come and seek me out and ai

swered Wulnoth. "As soon as my tru

Prince. "I wonder what fat

e gathered the army on the shore, and Cerdic, and Hith, and ?thelmar, and others went into the hold to be able to suc

old Hald, standing in the prow,

re, and your message is war; yet tell us whom we war ag

tanding in the poop of one of the foremo

njury done to Osbert the Dane. We come to war against Hardacnute for sheltering a thrall of Berwulf's named Cerdic and his family; and we come

ed Hald, hurling his spear, but Hungwar caught

many hero deeds were done, and when the sword sang its death-song again and again. Yet in the end the ships of Hardacnute were dest

ell; yet still the victory was with the Danes, and the men of

rd, when a man touched him on the arm; and the man was big and braw

of the Princess?" and to thi

sage for thee, O Wulnoth," and Wuln

mother. Now, therefore, bring her to me, and I will shelter her in safety, for Hungwar the Dane has sworn to carry her off and to make her his slave child. If m

to the Queen, and he told her all the

oice to have the death-song sung to me also; and if that be so, then shall it be w

ied her away into the forest and gave her to Wyborga, and

rry here also, good mother

ga shook

n. But let Guthred be of good cheer and brave heart, for he shall h

d. And for answer Wyborga again dr

is, then shall you meet, an

e man's game. And they got back to the hall just as King Hardacnute's men were being driven in, and there they saw the brothers Hungwar

the Dane, and he cried to him in a voi

cker of little children. Come hither, for I have a gr

answer this, Osbert. Go thou, whilst we rest a space, and silence

nced towards the keep; and Wulnoth spr

ain a man yet, but thou wilt do for a start!"

en he struck once, and once only, and the blow pierced through

ness was in Wulnoth's blood now, and he drew his sword and plunged it into the

We must have him alive." But Wulnoth had fled back, and w

by a sling stone, and one after another of the King's champions went to the storm-world, and the flames

ded him while he fought, and around him lay a ring of Danish sl

have an oath as regards this boy and his sister. They shall b

e in thy power, thou shalt never have m

gwar. "Bind this boy with chains

o had fought as a man fights and wa

n of that Cerdic that we came to seek, for thou hast Saxon blood in thee I will swear, and thou hast thrall co

's soldiers, yet thus and thus do I answer thee." And with that he rushed at the great Dane, and smote twice with his broken sword; and the first blow gashed Hungwar's brow, and t

y set fire to each house and hall, and spread the red flames through the land; and then they sailed away, and of all the people they took only some fair

ar and Hubba carried fire and sword through the land of Lethra and