they knew not so much as that there was any fighting. Then we went to
the hilltop, and set the banner there, and our line came on and halted
along the crest.

One hardly need say what wonder and rejoicing there was when it was
known how Hodulf had met his end, and Sigurd and other chiefs went to
where we had fought, and looked on him. And one took the helm, which had
round it the stolen crown, and gave it to Havelok.

"Set it on the standard," he said, "for we may need that it shall be
shown presently. As for Hodulf, bear him aside out of the path of the
host, that we may lay him in mound when all is ended."

One cried that he did not deserve honour of any kind, and there were
some who agreed to that openly. I will not say that I was not one of
them, for I had seen the foul play, and heard the insult to Grim, my father.

But Havelok answered gravely, "He has been a king, and I have not heard
that he was altogether a bad one. All else was between him and me, and
that is paid for by his death. Think only of the twelve years in which
you have owned him as lord, and then you will know that it is right that
he should be given the last honours. You had no feud as had I."

Then they did as he bade them, and that gladly, for the words were
king-like, and of good omen for the days to come. I saw Sigurd and the
older chiefs glance at each other, and it was plain that they were well
pleased.

Now the host came on, and it was greater than ours; but when there was
no sign of its leader the march wavered, and at last halted altogether.