"The prelate sent at once for his page, who stoutly9 denied that he had touched the hilt of his dagger, but I too had sent off for Ulred, the armourer, and he brought with him a gossip who had also been present. I asked the king's permission to introduce them, and they entirely11 confirmed your story. Fitz-Urse exclaimed that it was a Saxon plot to do him harm, and I could see that the bishop was of the same opinion; but the king, who is ever anxious to do justice, declared at once that he was sure that the two craftsmen12 were but speaking the truth. He sternly rebuked13 Fitz-Urse as a liar14, and signified to the bishop that he would do well to punish him severely16 by sending him back to Normandy, for that he would not tolerate his presence at court—an order which the bishop obeyed with very bad grace. But at any rate the lad was sent away by a ship a week later.
"After the bishop had left the audience-chamber17 the king said that he was afraid he had acted with harshness to you, as it seemed that the fault was by no means wholly on your side, and that I could at once recall you if I wished to do so. I thanked his majesty18 dutifully, but said I thought it were best in all ways that for a time you should remain away from court. In the first place, you deserved some punishment for your want of respect for the bishop, to whom you should have submitted yourself, even if you had thought him unjust. In the second place, as Fitz-Urse had been sent away, it would create an animosity against you on the part of his countrymen at court were you to reappear at once; and lastly, that I considered it would be to your benefit to pass at least some months on your estates, learning your duties as thane, and making the acquaintance of your people. Therefore, I wished you to continue at Steyning. It will assuredly be pleasant for you to know that you are no longer to be considered as being there in consequence of having fallen under the king's displeasure, but simply because it is my wish that you should for a time dwell among your people, and fit yourself to be a wise lord to them."
Wulf was much pleased at the receipt of this letter, partly because the fact that he had been sent away in disgrace stung him, and he had felt obliged frankly19 to acknowledge to the neighbouring thanes that he had been sent down on account of a quarrel with a Norman page; but chiefly because it showed the kindly20 interest that Harold felt in him, and that although absent he had still thought of him.
It was nigh ten months before he heard again. During that time he had grown a good deal, and although he would never be tall, his frame had so widened out that it was evident he would grow into an exceptionally powerful man.
At sixteen he was still a boy, and although his position at Steyning, where, although still under the nominal21 tutelage of the earl's steward, he was practically lord and master, accustomed to play the part of host within its walls, and that of feudal22 lord over the wide estates, had given him the habits of authority and the bearing of one who respected himself, the merry expression of his face, aided by a slight upward turn of his nose, showed that in other respects he was unchanged. He had learned with his weapons all that Leof could teach him. He could wield23 a light battle-axe24, and with his sword could turn aside or sever15 an arrow however sharply shot at him, provided that he had time to mark its flight. With a quarter-staff he was a match for any youth on the estate, and he could hurl25 a dart26 with unerring aim.
Osgod had sprung up into a powerful young fellow, taller than his master by well-nigh a head, and his equal in exercises requiring strength rather than quickness and skill. His duties at table had been delegated to another, for there was a certain clumsiness in Osgod's strength that no teaching could correct; and in his eagerness to serve his master he so frequently spilled the contents of a cup, or upset a platter, that even Egbert acknowledged that it was hopeless to attempt to make a skilful27 servitor of him.
The earl's second letter contained only the words:
"Come up to London as soon as you receive this. Leave Egbert in charge of everything as before."
Although the time had not seemed long, and his occupations were so varied28 that he had never felt dull since he had come down, Wulf was delighted to receive the summons. He had, unconsciously to himself, begun to feel restless, and to wonder whether Earl Harold had altogether forgotten his existence.
"We are going back to London, Osgod," he shouted.
"I am right glad of it," the young giant said, stretching his arms lazily. "I am grievously tired of the country, and had it not been that nothing would induce me to leave your service, I have thought sometimes that I would gladly be back again in my father's smithy, hammering away on hot iron. I used to think it would be the grandest thing possible to have nothing to do, but I have found that one can have too much of a good thing. Certainly I am glad to be going back, but I am not sure whether it won't be worse at court than it is here."
"Perhaps we may not be staying there," Wulf said encouragingly. "Maybe the earl is going to start on some expedition; though we have heard of no trouble, either in the North or in Wales. But even if I stay at court, Osgod, you will often be able to be away, and can spend some hours a day at the smithy, where, if you like, you can take off your smock and belabour iron to your heart's content. I should say you would be a rare help to your father, for, as Leof says, for a downright solid blow there are not many men who could surpass you."
Osgod laughed. "Leof has not forgiven that blow I dealt him a month ago, when I flattened29 in his helmet with my blunted axe and stretched him senseless on the ground; in faith, I meant not to hit so hard, but he had been taunting30 me with my slowness, and seeing an opening for a blow at his head I could not resist it, and struck, as he was always telling me to do, quickly."
"You well-nigh killed him," Wulf said, shaking his head; "he has not taken an axe in his hand since, at least not with either of us. He said to me the first time I invited him to a bout31, it was high time a man should give up teaching when he came to be struck senseless by a boy."
"Not much of a boy," Osgod replied, "seeing that I stand over six feet high, and got my muscles hardened early at the forge. However, he bears me no ill-will; all he ever said to me on the matter was, 'I am glad to see that you can shake off your sluggishness32 sometimes, Osgod; I should have been less earnest in my advice to you to strike more quickly if I had thought that you were going to do it at my expense. Keep those blows for your master's enemies, lad. If you deal them to his friends you will lessen33 their number.'"
"Have my horse brought round at once, Osgod, have the wallets packed, and be ready to start in an hour's time. I cannot go without riding over to say good-bye to the prior and some of the monks34. Do you, when you have packed, follow me; it is not greatly out of the way, and I shall meet you on the road. A short half-hour will suffice for me there."
"So Harold has sent for you, Wulf?" the prior said, when the young thane told him that he was on the point of starting for London. "'Tis as well. Come back when you may, you will now be fit to rule at Steyning, and to rule well, but I foresee that we are likely to have you but seldom down here. You are in good train to rise high among Englishmen. You already possess the favour of Earl Harold, who is, in all respects but name, King of England. You possess far more learning than most young men of your rank, and as Harold rightly thinks much of such knowledge, you are likely, if you live, to learn more. But better than this, so far as your prospects36 are concerned in the troubled times that may be coming, you are quick witted and ready. I hear that you are already very proficient37 in arms, and a match for most grown men. Best of all, so far as your future happiness is concerned, you have a kind heart and a good disposition38. You could scarce be a page of Earl Harold's and not be a true Englishman and patriot39; therefore, my son, I think that I can predict a bright and honourable40 future for you if Harold lives and reigns41 King of England. Be steadfast42 and firm, lad. Act ever in what your heart tells you is the right; be neither hasty nor quarrelsome. But,"—he broke off with a smile, "you have had one lesson that way already. Now I will detain you no longer. Pax vobiscum, may God keep and guard you! If opportunity offer, and a messenger comes this way, write me a few lines; news of you will be always welcome at Bramber."
Leaving the prior, Wulf paid a hurried visit to the chambers43 where the monks were engaged in their various avocations44, and then started at a canter and met Osgod coming along with a sumpter-horse carrying the wallets, a store of provisions for the way, and Wulf's arms and armour10 fastened to the crupper of his saddle.
"You have done well, Osgod," Wulf said as he turned his horse, and at a quieter pace proceeded beside him. "I forgot to give you any directions or to speak about your bringing a pack-horse with you, but I am glad you thought of it, for our steeds would have been heavily burdened had all that baggage been divided between them."
"We go back more heavily laden46 than we came," Osgod remarked. "My wardrobe was then of the scantiest47, and your own has been considerably48 added to since we came here. Truly, Wulf, I feel that I have changed mightily49 in this year, and can scarce believe that it is but a twelvemonth back since I flung down my hammer and started on my tramp to Guildford with a change of clothes dangling50 from the end of my cudgel. I was glad when you and your party overtook me, for I was badly scared once or twice when I met a rough fellow or two on the way, though, fortunately, they did not deem me worth robbing. We could give a good account of four or five of such knaves51 now."
"There has been a change indeed, Osgod, and in me as much as in you, though I have not shot up into such huge proportions. I was a page then, and had learned but to obey. I am a boy still, but I have begun to learn to rule; at any rate, to rule myself. I have not conquered my fault of hastiness altogether."
Osgod smiled broadly.
"You are quick in temper still, Wulf. You remember it was but yesterday that you rated me soundly because I had fed your hawks52 early, and they were too lazy to fly when you wanted them."
"Well, it was annoying," Wulf laughed; "and you deserved rating, since you have been told over and over again that the hawks were not to be fed early in the morning. Besides, the rating did you no harm."
"None at all, master. I know that you mean not what you say, and hard words break no bones. I should have thought no more of it had you yourself not remarked that you were still somewhat hasty of temper."
"I was wrong, Osgod," Wulf said, holding out his hand, "but you know that I love you, and that though your carelessness and forgetfulness chafe53 me sorely at times, I mean not what I say."
"I know it, master, and I would not have you other than you are. I suppose it is the thickness of my skull54 that prevents me from taking in all that I am told, and perhaps if I had more to do I might do it better. I shall be able to play my part when it comes to hard blows, and you must remember that no one can excel in all things. A staghound is trusty and sure when on the chase, but he could not be taught to fetch and to carry and to perform all sorts of tricks such as were done by the little mongrel cur that danced to the order of the mountebank55 the other evening. My father always said I was a fool, and that, though for a piece of rough hammering I was by no means amiss, I should never learn the real intricacies of repairing fine armour. Everything has its good, you see, Master Wulf; for had my father thought better of me in his trade, I doubt if he would ever have given me leave to quit it, and go as your man."
"I have no doubt that is so, Osgod, and heartily glad am I that you showed no genius for smith's work. Nature evidently intended you to damage casques and armour rather than to repair them. You have not got all my clothes with you," he added, as he looked round at the led horse.
"No indeed, Wulf," Osgod said, "nor a quarter of them, for in truth your wardrobe has grown prodigiously56 since we came here. I had to talk it over with Egbert, having but little faith in my own wits. He advised me to take the two suits that were most fitted for court, saying that if he heard you were going to remain there he would send on the rest in charge of a couple of well-armed men."
"That is the best plan, doubtless," Wulf agreed. "My hawking57 suit and some of the others would be useless to me at court, and it would have been folly58 to have burdened ourselves with them if we are likely to return hither shortly."
"Where shall we stop to-night?" Osgod asked.
"At the monastery59 of the Grey Friars, where we put up on our way from London. It will not be a long ride, but we started late. To-morrow we shall of course make a long day's journey to Guildford. I don't know what travellers would do were it not for the priories."
"Sleep in the woods, Wulf, and be none the worse for it. For myself, I would rather lie on the sward with a blazing fire and the greenwood overhead, than sleep on the cold stones in a monk35's kitchen, especially if it happened to be a fast-day and one had gone to rest on a well-nigh empty stomach."
"It is never so bad as that," Wulf laughed; "as a rule, however much the monks may fast, they entertain their guests well."
"If it is an English monastery they do," Osgod admitted, "but not where there is a Norman prior, with his new-fangled notions, and his vigils and fasts and flagellations. If I ever become a monk, which I trust is not likely, I will take care to enter a Saxon house, where a man may laugh without its being held to be a deadly sin, and can sleep honestly without being wakened up half a dozen times by the chapel60 bell."
"You would assuredly make but a bad monk, Osgod, and come what will I do not think you will ever take to that vocation45. But let us urge on our horses to a better pace, or the kitchen will be closed, and there will be but a poor chance of supper when we reach the priory."
"Well, Osgod," Wulf asked the next morning as they rode on their way, "how did you fare last night?"
"Well enough as to the eating, there was a haunch of cold venison that a king needn't have grumbled61 at, but truly my bones ache now with the hardness of my couch. Couch! there was but the barest handful of rushes on the cold stone floor, and I woke a score of times feeling as if my bones were coming through the skin."
"You have been spoilt, Osgod, by a year of sleeping softly. I marked more than once how thickly the rushes were strewn in that corner in which you always slept. How will it be when you have to stand the hardships of a soldier's life?"
"I can sleep well on the ground with my cloak round me," Osgod said steadily62, "and if the place be hard you have but to take up a sod under your hip-bone and another under your shoulder, and you need not envy one who sleeps on a straw bed. As to cold and wet, I have never tried sleeping out of doors, but I doubt not that I can stand it as well as another. As to eating and drinking, they say that Earl Harold always looks closely after his men, and holds that if soldiers are to fight well they must be fed well. At any rate, Master Wulf, I shall be better off than you will, for I have never been accustomed, as you have, to such luxuries as a straw bed; and I doubt whether you ever went hungry to bed as I have done many and many a time, for in the days when my father hoped to make an armourer of me I was sent off supperless whenever I bungled63 a job or neglected his instructions. I wonder what the earl can want you for in such haste?"
"I do not suppose he wants me in any haste at all. He may have spoken to the king about me, and when Edward again spoke64 of my returning he would simply send for me to come at once."
Such indeed proved to be the case. When he waited on Harold as soon as he arrived the latter held out his hand; "I am glad to see you back again, Wulf. A year of country air and exercise has done wonders for you, and though you are not as tall as you might be, you have truly widened out into fair proportions, and should be able to swing a battle-axe of full weight. Thinking it was time for you to return here, I spoke to the king, who was in high good-humour, for he had been mightily pleased that morning at some of the figures the monks have wrought65 in stone for the adornment66 of his Church of St. Peter; therefore he not only consented to your return, but chided me gently for not having called you up to town before. 'The matter had altogether slipped my mind,' he said; 'I told you that he might return directly it was shown that it was the bishop's page who was in fault, and from that day I have never thought of it.'
"I told the king that I had purposely kept silence, for I thought the day had come when you should learn your duties down there instead of dawdling67 away your time at court. You need not put on a page's attire68 any more. You will remain here as my ward2, and I have had so good an account from the good prior of Bramber that in a short time I shall be able to receive your oath as Thane of Steyning. You will attend me to court this evening as one of my gentlemen, and I will then present you to the king, whom it is well that you should thank for having pardoned you. I hear from the prior that the varlet you took down with you has grown into a big man, and is well-nigh as tall as I am already. He must have lodging69 with my followers70 while you are here."
Finding that he was to remain for the present at Westminster, Wulf sent off a messenger at once to request Egbert to forward the rest of his clothes immediately. That evening the earl took him into a chamber, where the king was seated surrounded by a few of his favourites.
"This is Wulf of Steyning, my lord king," Harold said, "the youth who was unfortunate enough to incur71 your royal displeasure a year since, and who has upon your order returned from his estates. I have had excellent accounts of him from my good friend the prior of Bramber, who speaks well alike of his love of study and his attention to the affairs of his estate. I have also heard from other hands of his progress in military exercises, and that he bids fair to become a valiant72 and skilful soldier of your majesty. He has prayed me to express his thanks to your majesty for having pardoned him, and having authorized73 me to enrol74 him again in the ranks of my followers here."
The king nodded pleasantly in answer to the deep bow that Wulf made. "I was somewhat hasty in your matter," he said graciously, "and dealt out somewhat hard measure to you, but doubtless, as Earl Harold said, your stay in the country has been for your good, and I am glad to hear that the worthy75 prior of Bramber speaks so well of you."
The earl gave a little nod to Wulf, and the latter, gathering76 that his case was concluded, and that he could now go at once, retired77 with another deep obeisance78.
Leaving the palace he made his way to the armourer's, whither he had sent Osgod as soon as they arrived. The smith doffed79 his cap as he entered. "I am right glad to see you back again, young master. My son gave me a rare surprise, for truly when he walked in I did not know him again, not having had him in my thoughts or having heard of his arrival. The varlet saw that I did not know him, and said, 'Canst mend me a broken dagger, master armourer?'
"'That can I,' I answered, and would have said more, when a laugh came from his great mouth that well-nigh shook the house, and I knew that it was my son, though the note was deeper than his used to be, and was, as I told him, more like the bellow80 of a bull than the laugh of a young fellow of eighteen. His mother looked in from behind the shop and said, 'Surely that must have been Osgod's laugh.' 'It was,' I said, 'and there he stands before you. The impudent81 rascal82 has topped me by over half a head, though I am a fair height myself.' Then she carried him away, and I saw no more of him until I had finished my work. Since supper he has been telling me somewhat of what he has been doing down with you, which, as far as I can learn, amounts to nothing, save the exercising of his arms and the devouring83 of victuals84."
"He did all there was to do, Ulred, except that he could not bring that long body and those loose arms of his to offer me cup or platter without risk to my garments, and even Egbert was forced to agree that he should never be able to make a courtly servant of him; but save in that matter Osgod has got on right well. He has always been ready when I wanted him, and prepared at once to start with me either on foot or horseback whenever I wished to go out. He is growing into a mighty85 man-at-arms, and well-nigh broke the skull as well as the casque of the captain and teacher of my house carls. Another two years, if he goes on as he has done and we go into battle again, no thane in the land will have a stouter86 body-guard."
"Are you going to stay in London, Master Wulf?"
"Yes; that is, while the earl is here. When he is away hunting or attending to the affairs of the state I suppose I shall go with him. Osgod of course will go with me. While here I shall have but little use for his services, and he can be at home most part of the day."
"Then I trust you will soon be off," the smith said bluntly, "for to have a youth six feet and a hand in height hanging about doing nothing would set all the men thinking it well that they too should be idle. Osgod was always ready enough for a talk, though I do not say he could not work when it was necessary, but now that he is in your worship's service and under no orders of mine, his tongue will never cease wagging."
"Oh, I am ready to work a bit, father. I know how long it took me to hammer out a bar before, and I shall be curious to find out in what time I can do it now."
"I doubt you will spoil more than you make, Osgod. Still, I too shall be curious to see how many strokes you can give with the big hammer, and how quickly you can beat a bar into a blade."
The stay in town was, however, of short duration, for four days later the earl told him that he was going down to his house at Bosham, and that he was to accompany him.
"'Tis three months since I was away from London," he said. "The king is going down into Hereford to hunt, and I am therefore free for a while, as there are no matters of state that press at present, though I fear that ere very long the Welsh will be up again. I hear that their King Griffith, not content with the beating he had a short time since, is again preparing for war. Still it may be some time before the storm bursts, and I am longing87 to be down again among the green woods or afloat on the water."
Harold took with him a large party of personal friends, his brother Wulfnoth, and his nephew Hakon. Among the party was Beorn, a young thane, who also was a ward of the earl. He was two years older than Wulf, but there had been a close friendship between them at Edward's court. Shortly after Wulf's departure Beorn had also been sent by the earl to his estates in Hampshire, and had been recalled at the same time.
Beorn was far less strong and active than Wulf, having been very weakly during the early years of his life, nor had he had the same advantages of education, as he only became Harold's ward a year after Wulf was installed as a page at Westminster. He was a youth of good and generous disposition, and looked with feelings of admiration88 upon the strength and skill in arms of the younger lad, and especially at his power of reading.
"I can never be like you there, Wulf," he would say, "but I hope I may some day grow as strong as you and as skilful in arms."
Beorn's stay in the country had done much for him, his thin tall frame had filled out and there was a healthy colour on his cheek. He had practised diligently89 at military exercises, and although he found when, on the first day after Wulf's arrival in London, he challenged him to a trial in arms, he was still very greatly his inferior in skill and strength, he bade fair to become a gallant90 fighter.
"It is a disappointment to me, Wulf," he said as he picked up the battle-axe that had been struck from his hand and sent flying across the hall by a sweeping91 blow of Wulf's weapon. "I have really worked very hard, and I did think that I ought to have caught you up, seeing that I am two years the elder. But you have gained more than I have. I did as well as the other youths who were taught with me by the house-carl Harold sent down with me, but I am sure I shall never be as quick or hit as strongly as you do."
"Oh yes, you will, Beorn. Age is nothing. You see you were sick and ailing92 till you were fifteen years old, so those years counted for nothing, and instead of being two years older than I am you are many years younger. In another four or five years you will come to your full strength, and will be able to strike a far heavier blow than I can now; although I do not say heavier than I may be able to do then, as you are neither so wide nor so deep chested as I am. But what does it matter, one only fights sometimes. You have other advantages, you are gentler in speech and manner and have a handsome face. When we were pages together the bower-maidens of the queen always made much of you, while they called me impudent, and would give me many a slap on the cheek."
"Well, you deserved it richly, Wulf, for you were always playing tricks upon them—hiding their distaffs or tangling93 their thread, and giving them pert answers when they wanted you to do their errands. Well, I hope we shall be always great friends, Wulf. Your estates lie not far from mine, and though we can scarce be called neighbours we shall be within a day's ride of each other, and I trust that we shall fight together under the good earl, and often spend our time at each other's houses, and hunt and feast together."
"I hope we shall be much together, Beorn," Wulf said warmly, "and that we shall be sworn friends; but as for feasting, I care but little for it. We Saxon thanes are too fond both of food and wine-cup, and though I am no monk I would that our customs could be altered. I hate foreigners, but their ways are in many respects better than ours. The Normans, it is true, may not be much better than we are, but then they are but Northmen a little civilized94; but I have heard the earl say that the French, and still more the Italians, are vastly ahead of us in all arts, and bear themselves with a courtesy and gentleness to each other that puts to shame our rough manners."
"We should be neither happier nor better that I can see, Wulf, did we adopt the manners of these Italians you speak of instead of our own."
"Perhaps not, Beorn, but we should be able to make the people happier and better if we could raise them."
"I will not even grant that, Wulf. Think you that the smith and the shepherd, the bowmaker and the weaver95, would be any the happier could they read or even write than they are as they sing Saxon songs over their work? I should like to be able to read, because Harold thinks much of it, but except for that I see not that it would do me much good. If the king makes me any further grant of land it will be doubtless properly made out, and I can get a clerk or a monk to read it to me. My steward will keep the tallies96 of the tenants97' payments. I can learn the history of our forefathers98 as well from the songs and tales of the gleemen as from books."
"You are as bad as my man Osgod," Wulf said indignantly.
"Well, you need not get hot about it, good Wulf," Beorn laughed. "When you come to see me I will have gleemen to sing the deeds of our fathers to you. When I come to you I will sit as mum as a mouse while you read to me from some monk's missal. I will force you neither to eat nor to drink more than it pleases you, and you shall give me as much to eat and drink as it pleases me, then we shall be both well satisfied. As for your man Osgod, I wish I had such a fellow. He will be well-nigh a giant one of these days, and in strength may come to rival the earl, who is said to be the strongest man on English soil."
"He is a good fellow, Beorn, and I could wish for no better to hold a shield over me in the day of battle or to stand back to back with me in a hand-to-hand fight."
"You should get him to stand in front of you," Beorn laughed. "He would be a rare screen against arrows and javelins99."
The friends were well pleased when they heard they were both to accompany Harold to Bosham, which was one of the favourite abodes100 of the Earls of Wessex. It had originally been built as a hunting-seat, but Godwin had grown to love the place, with its woods extending for miles back and its quiet landlocked harbour, and additions had been made until it had grown to be, in point of size at least, a residence worthy of the great earls, and Harold preferred it to any of the many mansions101 belonging to him. It was a large and gay party that rode down the road through the quiet woods of Surrey and Sussex. They put up each night at the houses of thanes, where, as notice had been sent of their coming, they were royally entertained, and those selected were proud to afford hospitality to the earl.
For a week they stayed at Bosham, hunting in the forests, going off in parties under the guidance of the foresters, some who cared not for hard labour, hunting in the woods between Bosham and the hills, while others went far inland into the weald, which was for the most part covered by a great forest, with but a few scattered102 hamlets here and there. Smoke rising among the trees showed where the charcoal-burners were at work, or where the furnaces were glowing, converting the ore into the tough iron that furnished arms and armour for the greater portion of the men of the south. At the end of the week the earl announced to his guests that he had provided a new diversion for them.
"You see those three ships in the harbour," he said. "They were brought here last night, and three hundred men have been at work all day preparing them for our reception. I propose that we all embark103 with our dogs and servants, and sail along the coast, landing where we please and taking our sport. As we sail eastward104 there are abundant forests, and the game is far more plentiful105 than here, and our trip will partake of the character of an adventure in thus dropping upon unknown places. Tents have been stored on board the vessels106, with abundance of good cheer of all kinds, so that we can establish ourselves where we will, and sleep on shore instead of rocking uneasily on the waves."
The proposal was received with acclamation, and the following morning the whole party embarked107 upon the three ships. The largest was occupied by Harold himself, his brother and nephew, and six or seven of his principal thanes. In this craft too went Wulf and Beorn with their men. On issuing from the harbour the ships' heads were turned to the east. The wind was light and fitful, the sails therefore were not loosed, and they proceeded under oars108. There was but little tide until they reached the extremity109 of the long point of Selsea, past which they were hurried at great speed by the rapid current. Rowing closer inshore they got into quieter water, and continued their way until tide turned, when they anchored, and landing with their dogs hunted in the woods for some hours.
On their return to the sea-shore they found the tents erected110 and supper prepared, and the sport having been good they remained another day. The tide took them the next day past the shore of Wulf's estate, and he begged the earl to land there and to pass a day or two with his company at Steyning; but all were bent111 upon the chase, and they kept on until they reached the point where the white cliffs began to rise from the edge of the water. Here they landed again, and spent two or three days in hunting. Neither Wulf nor Beorn had been to sea before, and the quiet motion of the ships with their bellying112 sails and banks of sturdy oarsmen delighted them. There had been scarcely any motion, and neither had felt the qualms113 which they had been warned were generally experienced for a while by those who went upon the sea for the first time.
When the journey was resumed Wulf was struck with surprise and almost awe114 by the mighty cliffs that rose up from the water's edge. Neither he nor Beorn had seen anything like this, for although both their estates bordered the sea, the shores were flat, and vessels, if needs be, could be hauled up on shore.
"What would happen if a gale115 were to burst upon us here?" Wulf said to his companion. "If the waves were to dash us against those white rocks the ships would be broken up like egg-shells."
"Your question is answered," Beorn said, as a bay suddenly opened to their sight. "You see we are going in here, and shall anchor snugly116 somewhere up this river in front of us, which is truly the best haven117 we have seen since we left Bosham." Half an hour later the vessels were moored118 to the bank, close to a wooden bridge which spanned the little river.
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1
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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2
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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3
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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5
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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6
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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7
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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8
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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9
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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10
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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11
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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12
craftsmen
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| n. 技工 | |
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13
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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15
sever
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| v.切开，割开；断绝，中断 | |
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16
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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17
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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18
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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19
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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20
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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21
nominal
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| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
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22
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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23
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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24
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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25
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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26
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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27
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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28
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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29
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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30
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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31
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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32
sluggishness
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| 不振，萧条，呆滞；惰性；滞性；惯性 | |
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33
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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34
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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35
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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36
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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37
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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38
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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39
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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40
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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41
reigns
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| n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 )；君主统治时期；任期；当政期 | |
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42
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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43
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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44
avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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45
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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46
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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47
scantiest
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| adj.（大小或数量）不足的，勉强够的( scanty的最高级 ) | |
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48
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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49
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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50
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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51
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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52
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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53
chafe
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| v.擦伤；冲洗；惹怒 | |
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54
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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55
mountebank
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| n.江湖郎中；骗子 | |
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56
prodigiously
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| adv.异常地，惊人地，巨大地 | |
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57
hawking
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| 利用鹰行猎 | |
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58
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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59
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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60
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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61
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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62
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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63
bungled
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| v.搞糟，完不成( bungle的过去式和过去分词 )；笨手笨脚地做；失败；完不成 | |
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64
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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65
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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66
adornment
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| n.装饰；装饰品 | |
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67
dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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68
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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69
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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70
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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71
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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72
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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73
authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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74
enrol
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| v.（使）注册入学，（使）入学，（使）入会 | |
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75
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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76
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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77
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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78
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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79
doffed
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| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
bellow
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| v.吼叫，怒吼；大声发出，大声喝道 | |
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81
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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82
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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83
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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84
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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85
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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86
stouter
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| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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87
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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88
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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89
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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90
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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91
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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92
ailing
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| v.生病 | |
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93
tangling
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的现在分词 ) | |
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94
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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95
weaver
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| n.织布工；编织者 | |
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96
tallies
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| n.账( tally的名词复数 )；符合；（计数的）签；标签v.计算，清点( tally的第三人称单数 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合 | |
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97
tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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98
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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99
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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100
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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101
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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102
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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103
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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104
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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105
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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106
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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107
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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108
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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109
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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110
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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111
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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112
bellying
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| 鼓出部；鼓鼓囊囊 | |
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113
qualms
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| n.不安；内疚 | |
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114
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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115
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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116
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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117
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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118
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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