had his axe in his hand.

"What is the noise?" he said anxiously, seeing that Biorn was arming.

The sheriff told him quickly, and again the door was battered.

"It is a pity that a good door should be spoilt," said Havelok, "for
down it is bound to come thus. Stand you there with the axe, and I will
even save them the trouble of breaking in."

"Nay," said Biorn; "we know not how many are there, and it were better
that you should arm first. There is time."

"Why, they think that you are alone in the house, no doubt, and will run
when they find out their mistake. They are common thieves from the
forest, or outlaws. Stand you by to cut down the first man that dares to
enter, if there happen to be one bold enough."

He set his axe down, and went to the bar, and began to slide it back
into the deep socket that would let it free, and the men outside stayed
their blows as they heard it scraping. It was a very heavy bar of oak,
some seven feet long, and over a palm square.

"Now!" cried Havelok, and caught the bar from its place.

He did not take the trouble to set it down and get his axe; but as the
door opened a little he stood back balancing the great beam in his
hands, as a boy would handle a quarterstaff, ready for the rush of the
thieves that he expected, and so he was in the way of Biorn more or less.