the building.

Now Biorn went out first, and then he helped out Goldberga, and after
her we made Havelok go; and we called to these three to get to the tower
as Withelm came next, for every moment I looked to see our enemies--if
they are to be called so when I hardly suppose they knew what they were
fighting about--come round to fall on the back of the house.

Because of Goldberga they went; and Biorn opened the tower door, and she
passed into the blackness of its entry, but the two men stayed outside
for us. And we three were all out of the house when the first of the
crowd bethought themselves, and made for the back, and saw us.

At once they raised a shout and a rush, and we did not think it worth
while to wait for them, as they would get between us and the tower,
which was open for us. So we ran, and they were, some twenty of them,
hard at our heels as we reached the door, and half fell inside, for the
winding stairway was close to the entry. I think that Biorn and Havelok
had made their plans as they saw what was coming, for Havelok followed
us and stood in the doorway, while Biorn was just outside with his axe
ready.

"Hold hard, friends!" he called, as the men came up and halted before
him; "what is all this?"

"Stand aside and let us get at them," said the foremost, panting.

"Nay," said Biorn; "what harm have they done?"

"Slain a dozen men and lamed twice as many more," answered several
voices; "have them forth straightway."

"They were attacked, and defended themselves," said the sheriff, "and it
is no fault of theirs that they had to do their best. Get you home, and
I will answer to the jarl for them. They are the jarl's guests."

Then was a howl that was strange, and with it voices which seemed to let
some light on the matter.

"They have slain the jarl's guests."

And then came forward a big black-bearded man whom I had seen in the
crowd already, and he squared up to Biorn.

"Lies are no good, master sheriff, for we know that the outlanders who
spoke the strange tongue must be the guests who came."

"I am no liar," answered Biorn. "Is there not one man here who saw the
ship and her folk this afternoon?"

Now this man seemed not to want that question answered, for he shouted
to the crowd not to waste time in wrangling, but to have out the
murderers; and he took a step towards Biorn, bidding him side no more
with the men, but let the folk deal with them.

"You overdo your business as sheri