"There will be hot work to-day in that forest," he told Arn, who was busied with the trussing of his mail.
"God prosper you, master," said the steward.

"Frenchman or no, you are such a man as I love.

Beware of Aelward and his downward stroke, for he has the strength of ten." At noon by the Danes' barrow Jehan met a young tow-headed giant, who spoke with the back of his throat and made surly-response to the other's greeting.

It was a blue winter's day, with rime still white on the grass, and the forest was very still.

The Saxon had the shorter sword and a round buckler; Jehan fought only with his blade.
At the first bout they strove with steel, and were ill-matched at that, for the heavy strength of the fenman was futile against the lithe speed of the hunter.