He was dead, for the end of the quarterstaff had driven in his forehead, so madly had I struck at him with all my weight.
And now, seeing that I was cooler and might think more clearly, it seemed to me that it would be bitter to Matelgar that out of his wish to destroy me should come help to myself.

I needed arms, and now I had but to take them from his own armoury, as it were.

Well armed were all his housecarles, and this one I had slain was their captain, and his byrnie of linked mail was of the best Sussex steel, and his helm was crested with a golden boar, with linked mail tippet hanging to protect the neck.
And his sword--but as my eyes fell on that my heart gave a great leap of joy--for it was my own! Mine, too, was the baldric from which it hung, and mine was the seax that balanced it, close to the right hand in the belt.
As I saw that I began to know more of the plans of Matelgar--for it must be that my hall and all my goods had fallen into his hands, and this was the reward his head man had asked and been given.
And now I minded that this man had been one of those who gave evidence of my lonely rides and secret meetings.

So he had been bought thus, for my sword was a good one, and the hilt curiously wrought in ivory and silver.
Then I made no more delay, but stripped the man of his armour, and also of the stout leathern jerkin he wore beneath it, for I was clad in the rags of feasting garb, as I have said, and hated them even as I threw them aside.

The man was of my own height and build, as it chanced, and his gear fitted me well.