e too late, and that the enemy are all slain? Who was it found the
Norsemen's ship?"

"Then the Danes have landed?" cried the eldest boy excitedly.

"Yes," cried his brother. "I knew that was it."

"Yes, that's it, boy," said the leader, dragging at his horse's head,
for the animal was impatient to go on.

"Where are they?" cried the youngest boy, with his cheeks flushing and
eyes sparkling.

"A day's journey away, my boy. The people over Farringdon way have
asked for help, and the King sends me."

"That's right," cried the boy who had last spoken. "We'll go with you."

The leader smiled and shook his head, and the band of fine-looking,
picked men indulged in a hearty laugh.

"What are you mocking and gibing at?" cried the youngest boy fiercely.
"Do you think that because I and my brothers are young we cannot fight?"

"Yes," cried the eldest brother; "we can shoot an arrow with any of you.
Pick out your four best men, Jarl Cerda, and we'll shoot against them."

"Yes," said another. "You know we can shoot well."

"Do I not?" said the jarl; "for I taught you."

"Yes, yes; they can all shoot well," came in concert.

"Oh, yes, they can shoot," said the leader; "but I have no time to prove
it."

"Of course not," cried Alfred. "Never mind that. Lead on."

"I'm afraid we should never catch the Danes if you boys came," said the
jarl solemnly.

"Why?" cried Bald, the eldest.

"Yes, why shouldn't we?" cried Ethelred.

"Don't ask him," said Alfred, frowning.

"Why?"

"Look at his eyes and the corners of his mouth. He's laughing at us."

The big jarl's shoulders began to shake, and his lids half-closed in his
mirth, while the eyes of all four boys flashed in their anger.

"Why, of course I'm laughing, my boys," he said; "but it's not out of a
desire to mock at you. I know you, my brave little fellows, and I hope
to come back safe, and to see you all grow up to stark men who will deal
well with the Norsemen. But you must wait a bit."

"No, no," cried Alfred. "We can stand back and shoot."

"So can the Danes, my boy; and their arrows are sharp."

"But we can shoot sharper and quicker than they," said Ethelred. "Oh,
do take us, Jarl Cerda."

"No, my boy," said the stout Saxon noble firmly; "I cannot take you.
The King stood by and picked out my men, and he said I was to take these
and no more. Would you have me give pain to our good Queen Osburga by
breaking the King's commands?"

"No," s