And at that the townsmen ran in, and we were
busy for a space, until once more they were in a howling circle round
us. But they had wounded Havelok again; and Biorn was at his wit's end,
for he had had to take part in the fight this time. The men were mad
with battle, and forgot who he was, as it seemed. And now some raised a
cry for bows.
That was the worst thing that we had to fear, and Raven called to us,
"Into the house, brothers, and keep them out of it till the jarl comes.
He will hear, or be sent for."
So we went back and got into the doorway, and we could not bar it at
first. But Withelm hewed off the blade of Raven's oar, and I went out
and cleared the folk away for a space, and leapt back; and Havelok and I
got the door shut quickly against them as they came back on it, and we
barred it with the oar loom. That was but pine, however, and it would
not last long.
Outside, the people were quiet for a little, wondering, no doubt, how to
rescue Biorn. He wanted to go out to them, but it did not seem safe just
yet. If they grew more reasonable it might be so.
Then, as we rested thus, Goldberga came quickly, for she saw that her
husband was wounded, and she began to bind his hurts with a scarf she
had. She was very pale, but she was not weeping, and her hands did not
shake as she went to work.
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