his hand and asking pardon for what they had wrought in error; and
Sigurd dismounted and knelt before him, holding forth his sword hilt in
token of homage, that his king might touch it.

"Only Havelok son of Gunnar dares call himself son of Grim also, and in
that word all the tale is told. But I have known you from the first by
the token of the ring and by this likeness. Yet I waited for you to
speak, and for the time that should be best; and now that has come of
itself, and I am glad."

So said Sigurd, as we went from the tower to the hall, with the townsmen
at our heels in a wondering crowd. There were many among them who would
show the wounds that Havelok had given them with pride hereafter, as
tokens that they had known him well.

Then we stayed on the steps of the hall door, and the jarl called out
man by man, and the war arrow was put in their hands with the names of
those men who waited for the coming of Havelok, that all through the
night the message that should bring him a mighty host on the morrow
should go far and wide.

And the gathering word was, "Come, for the horn of the king is sounding."

Then Sigurd said, "Speak to the people, my king, and all is done."

So Havelok smiled, and lifted his voice, and spoke.

"Stand by me, friends, as steadfastly as you have fought against me, and
I shall be well content. And see, here is the queen for whom you will
fight also. There is not one of you but will play the man under her eyes."