At the same
time, he sent the ladies and children into the cabin, so that they might
not be seen.
That did not please Havelok at all, for he seemed to scent a fight in
the air, and wanted weapons, that he might stand beside the other men,
asking for an axe for choice. It was all that I could do to quiet him by
saying that if there was any need of him I would call him, but that just
now we thought the Vikings would go away if they saw many warriors on
deck. Which indeed was all that we hoped, but he thought that would
spoil sport, and so hastened into the shelter.
After that there fell a silence on us, for at any moment now we might be
hailed by the other ship. And when we were but a bow shot apart the hail
came. The two vessels were then broadside on to each other, we a little
ahead, if anything. My father was steering now, fully armed, and Arngeir
was beside him with myself. I had the big shield wherewith one guards
the helmsman if arrows are flying.
The Viking bade us strike sail, and let him come alongside, but my
father made no answer. Still we held on, and the Viking paid off a
little, as though he were not so sure if it were wise to fall on us, as
we showed no fear of him.
Then my father spoke to Arngeir in a stern voice that I had heard only
when we met this same ship before.
"This will not last long.
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