A Thane of Wessex | Page 8

for here seemed to me
the beginning of my revenge; and before these two knew that I had
turned, out of the dim shadow I leapt upon them, silent, with that
quarterstaff aloft. Dazzled they were with the sunlight, and thinking
least of all of my turning thus swiftly, if at all. And I was as one of the
Berserks of whom men spoke--caring not for death if only I might slay
one of those who had wrought me wrong.
Into the face of that one to the left flew the iron-shod end of the heavy
staff and he fell; and as the other gave back a pace, I whirled it round to
strike his head. He raised his sword to guard the blow, and that fell in
shivers as I smote it. Then a second blow laid him across his comrade,
senseless.
Then I stood over them and rejoiced; and part of my anger and shame
seemed to pass into the lust of revenge begun well. I knew the men as
two of Matelgar's housecarles, and that made it the sweeter to see them
lie thus helpless before me.
I knew not if they were dead yet, but I would make sure. So I leaned
my staff against a tree, and drew the sharp seax from my belt.
Then came into my mind the words of my father, who would ever tell
me that he is basest who would slay an unarmed foe, or smite a fallen
man; and hastily I put back the seax again, lest I should be tempted to
become base as men had said I was; for I hold treachery to be of the
same nature as that of which my father warned me.

I took back my staff and leant on it, thinking, and looking at those men.
They were the first I had ever met in earnest, and this was the first
proof of the skill in arms my father had spent long years in giving me.
So there crept over me a pride that I had met two and overcome
them--and I unarmed, as we count it, against mail-clad men. Then I
thought that Herewulf, my father, would be proud of me could he see
this.
And then, instantly, the shame of what had led to this swallowed up all
my pride; and with that thought of my father's loved and honoured
name, my hard heart was broken, and I leant my head against a tree,
and wept bitterly.
One of the men stirred, and I sprang round hurriedly. It was the second
man, whose sword I had broken. He had been but stunned, and now sat
up as one barely awake, and unaware of what had happened. I might
not slay him now, but quick as I could I took off my own broad leather
belt and pinioned him from behind. He was yet too dazed to resist. And
then I took his dagger from him, and bound his feet with his own belt,
dragging him away from his comrade, and setting him against a tree.
There he sat, blinking at me, but becoming more himself quickly.
Then I looked at the other man. He was dead, for the end of the
quarterstaff had driven in his forehead, so madly had I struck at him
with all my weight.
And now, seeing that I was cooler and might think more clearly, it
seemed to me that it would be bitter to Matelgar that out of his wish to
destroy me should come help to myself. I needed arms, and now I had
but to take them from his own armoury, as it were. Well armed were all
his housecarles, and this one I had slain was their captain, and his
byrnie of linked mail was of the best Sussex steel, and his helm was
crested with a golden boar, with linked mail tippet hanging to protect
the neck. And his sword--but as my eyes fell on that my heart gave a
great leap of joy--for it was my own! Mine, too, was the baldric from
which it hung, and mine was the seax that balanced it, close to the right
hand in the belt.

As I saw that I began to know more of the plans of Matelgar--for it
must be that my hall and all my goods had fallen into his hands, and
this was the reward his head man had asked and been given.
And now I minded that this man had been one of those who gave
evidence of my lonely rides and secret meetings. So he had been
bought thus, for my sword was a good one, and the hilt curiously
wrought in ivory and silver.
Then I made no more delay, but stripped the man of his armour,