Do ye accept him, people of Hightown ?" There was a swelling cry of assent and a beating of hafts on shields.
Biorn's heart was lifted with pride, but out of a corner of his eye he saw his father's face.

It was very grave, and his gaze was on vacancy.
Though it was a time of bustle, there was no joy in it, as there had been at other hostings.

The folk were too hungry, the need was too desperate, and there was something else, a shadow of fate, which lay over Hightown.

In the dark of night men had seen the bale-fires burning on the Howe of the Dead.

A grey seal had been heard speaking with tongues off Siggness, and speaking ill words, said the fishermen who saw the beast.