But both I and the Welshmen had
shouted to Griffin to hold, all uselessly, so quick had been his onset
on his new foe.
Cadwal held his peace, biting his lip, but the other Welshman began to
blame Griffin loudly for this.
"Nay," said Havelok, smiling; "it was my own fault maybe. The thane was
overhasty certainly, but one does not think with pain gnawing at one.
Let that pass.
"Now, earl, I think that you may say what you have to say that will set
things right once more."
"Can none of us put the arm back first?" I said. "I will try, if none
else has done such a thing before, for it will not be the first time."
"Put it back, if you can," said Cadwal. "If there is anything to be
said, it had better be in some sort of comfort."
So I put the arm back, for when once the trick is learned there is not,
as a rule, much trouble. But Griffin never thanked me. He left that to
his seconds, who did so well enough.
Then Ragnar came forward and said gravely, "I was wrong when I called
you 'nidring,' and I take back the word and ask you to forget it. No man
who is that will face the Danish axe as you have faced it, and I will
say that the British sword is a thing to be feared."
But Griffin made no answer, and when Ragnar held out his hand he would
not see it.
"Maybe I have not yet made amends," Ragnar went on.
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