ORM PAYS.
It was high day, and he lay there slowly coming to himself; and recalling
that dreadful nightmare, as it seemed, bitter-sweet. At last he staggered
to his legs, and drank at a beck that ran through the wood. Every one was
gone from the spot where the camp had been: and whither? He only knew
that Orm would be with the Northmen faring homeward. He loosened his
sword and thrust it back again, and stumbled forth along the road he had
come but yesterday.
At Legburthwaite the Northmen had halted, to hold their Thing once more,
to talk over the business that had passed, and finish the work they had
on hand. On the mound the chiefs were assembled, within the hallowed ring
that no man might profane.
Thorstein leaned on the hazel rods, that stood as bars from stake to
stake to encompass the place. Some one was speaking in slow, steady
tones, and men were listening, in the rain, with grave faces, intent upon
the speech.
“Orm Sweinson, come forth. News for thee: ha! ha!” cried a voice,
breaking the quiet of the assembly: and there was a haggard man with
bloodshot eyes, beckoning strangely.
Forth stepped Orm: “What now youngster?” said he.
“Raineach is come again, and that’s for thee!” screamed Thorstein,
lashing his sword through the throat of his brother, where the coat of
mail left it unshielded.
“A wolf, a wolf in the temple!” they shouted, and rushed forth. But he
was gone headlong down the bank and across the lake-foot and into the
woods on the other side, on the rugged slopes of the Benn.