" [Footnote: For
the details of this battle, see Skorro Sturleson, or the admirable
description in Bulwer's "Harold."]
"How camest thou, then, hither?"
"Styrkar the marshal escaped in the night, and I with him, and a few more.
And Styrkar bade me bring the news to Flanders, to the Countess, while he
took it to Olaf Haroldsson, who lay off in the ships."
"And thou shalt take it. Martin! get this man a horse. A horse, ye
villains, and a good one, on your lives!"
"And Tosti is dead?"
"Dead like a hero. Harold offered him quarter,--offered him his earldom,
they say: even in the midst of battle; but he would not take it. He said
he was the Sigurdsson's man now, and true man he would be!"
"Harold offered him?--what art babbling about? Who fought you?"
"Harold Godwinsson, the king."
"Where?"
"At Stanford Brigg, by York Town."
"Harold Godwinsson slew Harold Sigurdsson? After this wolves may eat
lions!"
"The Godwinsson is a gallant fighter, and a wise general, or I had not
been here now."
"Get on thy horse, man!" said he, scornfully and impatiently, "and gallop,
if thou canst."
"I have ridden many a mile in Ireland, Earl, and have not forgotten my
seat."
"Thou hast, hast thou?" said Martin; "thou art Thord Gunlaugsson of
Waterford."
"That am I.
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