On which they rode some hundred yards out of the press, calling
out that they were to be left alone by both sides, for it was an honorable
duel, and, turning their horses, charged.
After which act they found themselves and their horses all four in a row,
sitting on their hind-quarters on the ground, amid the fragments of their
lances.
"Well ridden!" shouted they both at once, as they leaped up laughing and
drew their swords.
After which they hammered away at each other merrily in "the devil's
smithy"; the sparks flew, and the iron rang, and all men stood still to
see that gallant fight.
So they watched and cheered, till Hereward struck his man such a blow
under the ear, that he dropped, and lay like a log.
"I think I can carry you," quoth Hereward, and picking him up, he threw
him over his shoulder, and walked toward his men.
"A bear! a bear!" shouted they in delight, laughing at the likeness
between Hereward's attitude, and that of a bear waddling off on his hind
legs with his prey in his arms.
"He should have killed his bullock outright before he went to carry him.
Look there!"
And the knight, awaking from his swoon, struggled violently (says Leofric)
to escape.
But Hereward, though the smaller, was the stronger man; and crushing him
in his arms, walked on steadily.
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