But I loved him, and trusted him, as I would an angel out of heaven;
and I trust him still. To him, and him only, will I yield myself, on
condition that I and my men shall keep all our arms and treasure, and
enter his service, to fight his foes, and his grandfather's, wheresoever
they will, by land or sea."
"Fair sir," said the Abbot, "pirate though you call yourself, you speak so
courtly and clerkly, that I, too, am inclined to trust you; and if my
young lord will have it so, into St. Bertin I will receive you, till our
lord, the Marquis, shall give orders about you and yours."
So promises were given all round; and Hereward explained the matter to the
men, without whose advice (for they were all as free as himself) he could
not act.
"Needs must," grunted they, as they packed up each his little valuables.
Then Hereward sheathed his sword, and leaping from the bow, came up to the
boy.
"Put your hands between his, fair sir," said the Chatelain.
"That is not the manner of Vikings."
And he took the boy's right hand, and grasped it in the plain English
fashion.
"There is the hand of an honest man. Come down, men, and take this young
lord's hand, and serve him in the wars as I will do."
One, by one the men came down; and each took Arnulf's hand, and shook it
till the lad's face grew red.
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