y
wielded a battle-axe. I knew that if he could get in a blow with that
battle-axe, I was sped, since the bull's hide of my jerkin would never
stand against it. Therefore it was my business to keep out of his reach.
This, being young and active, for the most part I made shift to do,
especially as he could not move very quickly in his mail. The end of it
was that I cut him on the arm through a joint in his harness, whereon he
rushed at me, swearing French oaths.

I leapt on one side and as he passed, smote with all my strength. The
blow fell between neck and shoulder, from behind as it were, and such
was the temper of that sword named Wave-Flame that it shore through his
mail deep into the flesh beneath, to the backbone as I believe. At least
he went down in a heap--I remember the rattle of his armour as he fell,
and there lay still. Then we fled on down the steep path, I holding the
bloody sword with one hand and Lady Blanche with the other, while she
thanked me with her eyes.

At length we were in the town again, running up my own street. On either
side of us the houses burned, and behind us came another body of the
French. The reek got into our eyes and we stumbled over dead or fainting
people.

Looking to the left I caught sight of the elm tree of which I have
spoken, that grew in front of our door, and saw that the house behind
it was burning. Yes, and I saw more, for at the attic window, which was
open, the flames making an arch round her, sat my mother. Moreover, she
was singing for I heard her voice and the wild words she sang, though
this was a strange thing for a woman to do in the hour of such a death.
Further, she saw and knew me, for she waved her hands to me, then
pointed towards the sea, why, I did not guess at the time. I stopped,
purposing to try to rescue her though the front of the house was
flaming, and the attempt must have ended in my death. But at that moment
the roof fell in, causing the fire to spout upwards and outwards. This
was the last that I saw of my mother, though afterwards we found her
body and gave it burial with those of many other victims.

There was no time to stay, for the conquering French were pouring up the
street behind us, shooting as they came and murdering any laggards whom
they could catch. On we went up the steep slope of the Minnes Rock. I
would have fled on into the open country, but the lady Blanche had no
strength left. Twice she sank to the ground, stricken with te