At last he said, "We will go back to the men, for you have advantage in
that bulk of yours."
"As you will," answered Havelok. "Twelve years ago that was on your side."
He reined round at once, and touched his horse with the spur without
another glance at his enemy. And then we shouted, and Raven spurred
forward with a great oath, for Hodulf plucked his sword from the
scabbard, and with a new treachery in his heart, rode after our brother
and was almost on him. The shout was just in time, for Havelok turned in
his saddle as the blow was falling.
Quick as light, he took it on the shaft of the spear he carried, and
turned it, wheeling his horse short round at the same time. Lindsey
training was there in that horsemanship of his. Hodulf's horse shot past
as the blow failed, and then Raven seemed to be the next man to be dealt
with.
But Havelok called to him to stand aside, for this was his own fight;
and at that Hodulf had his horse in hand again, and was ready to meet
his foe fairly.
And now Havelok had cast aside the spear, and taken the axe from the
saddle bow; and these two met, unshielded, for neither had time to
unsling the round buckler from his shoulder.
It was no long fight, for now Hodulf's men were coming up, and there
need be no more thought of aught but ending one who was ready to smite a
foul blow before us all shamelessly.
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