If the man who killed the bear has not earned
knighthood, what must we be, who have not killed him? You understand his
meaning, gentlemen,--don't forget it!"
Hereward looked down, and setting his foot on the bear's head, wrenched
out of it the sword which he had left till now, with pardonable pride,
fast set in the skull.
Martin Lightfoot, for his part, drew stealthily from his bosom the little
magic axe, keeping his eye on the brain-pan of the last speaker.
The lady of the house cried "Shame!" and ordered the knights away with
haughty words and gestures, which, because they were so well deserved,
only made the quarrel more deadly.
Then she commanded Hereward to sheathe his sword.
He did so; and turning to the knights, said with all courtesy: "You
mistake me, sirs. You were where brave knights should be, within the
beleaguered fortress, defending the ladies. Had you remained outside, and
been eaten by the bear, what must have befallen them, had he burst open
the door? As for this little lass, whom you left outside, she is too young
to requite knight's prowess by lady's love; and therefore beneath your
attention, and only fit for the care of a boy like me." And taking up
Alftruda in his arms, he carried her in and disappeared.
Who now but Hereward was in all men's mouths? The minstrels made ballads
on him; the lasses sang his praises (says the chronicler) as they danced
upon the green.
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