e stockade. And that was beaten down,
while some Danes and Jomsburgers lay there as they had fallen when
this was done.

Now when we saw this I know not which was the stronger, rage or
surprise, and I called one of the old men.

"Where is the king?" I asked.

"He is not in the town," he said; "he is away with his own
courtmen, fighting against these pirates for Jarl Swend, who is
beset by them."

Now it was plain that this ship came from that place; either beaten
off, or knowing that Ingvar's haven lay open to attack while his
men were away thus. And a greater fear than any came over me.

"Where is the Lady Osritha?" I said.

"She was here in the town this morning."

"So, Wulfric," said Thormod quickly, "she will have fled. The
steward will have seen to that. No use her biding here when the
ship came."

So I thought, but I was torn with doubt, not knowing if time for
flight had been given, or if even now some party of Jomsburgers
might not be following hard after her. I must go into the hall and
find out, whatever the risk, for it was certain that it held the
rest of the pirates.

"Leave men here to guard the gates," I said to Thormod. "Needs must
that we see more of this."

Ten men stayed at the gate, lest Jomsburgers lurked in the houses
to fall on us, and we went across to the great porch. The door was
open, nor could we see much within; and there was silence.

"Stand by," said Thormod, and picked up a helm that lay at his
feet.

He hurled it through the door, and it clanged and leapt from the
further wall across the cold hearthstone. Then there was a stir of
feet and click of arms inside, and we knew that the hall was full
of men.

I know not what my thoughts were--but woe to any pirate who came
within my reach.

"Show yourselves like men!" shouted Thormod, standing back.

Then, seeing that there was no hope that we should fall into this
trap they had laid, there came into the doorway a great,
black-haired Jomsburg Lett, clad in mail of hardened deerskin, such
as the Lapp wizards make, and helmed with a wolf's head over the
iron head piece. He carried a long-handled bronze axe, and a great
sword was by his side.

"Yield yourselves!" said Thormod.

The savage hove up his axe, stepping one pace nearer into the
porch.

"What terms?" he said in broken Danish.

"Give up your prisoners and arms, and you shall go free," answered
Thormod, for he feared lest if any captives were left alive they