"When you die, I die. And you will not die: you will be great and
glorious, and your name will be sung by scald and minstrel through many a
land, far and wide. Only be not rash. Be not high-minded. Promise me to
answer this man wisely. The more crafty he is, the more crafty must you be
likewise."
"Let us tell this mighty hero, then," said Hereward,--trying to laugh away
her fears, and perhaps his own,--"that while he has the Holy Father on his
side, he can need no help from a poor sinful worm like me."
"Hereward, Hereward!"
"Why, is there aught about hides in that?"
"I want,--I want an answer which may not cut off all hope in case of the
worst."
"Then let us say boldly, 'On the day that William is King of all England,
Hereward will come and put his hands between his, and be his man.'"
That message was sent to William at Rouen. He laughed,--
"It is a fair challenge from a valiant man. The day shall come when I will
claim it."
Tosti and Hereward passed that winter in St. Omer, living in the same
street, passing each other day by day, and never spoke a word one to the
other.
Robert the Frison heard of it, and tried to persuade Hereward.
"Let him purge himself of the murder of Ulf, the boy, son of my friend
Dolfin; and after that, of Gamel, son of Orm; and after that, again, of
Gospatrick, my father's friend, whom his sister slew for his sake; and
then an honest man may talk with him.
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