At Galland, which is low down in the fen country, he found a sullen
girl. She met him at the bridge of the Galland fen and her grey eyes
flashed fire. She was a tall maid, very fair to look upon, and the blue
tunic which she wore over her russet gown was cunningly embroidered.
Embroidered too with gold was the hood which confined her plaited yellow
hair.

"You find a defenceless house and a woman to conquer," she railed.

"Long may it need no other warder," said Jehan, dismounting and looking
at her across the water.

"The fortune of war has given me a home, mistress. I would dwell in
amity with my neighbours."

"Amity!" she cried in scorn. "You will get none from me. My brother
Aelward will do the parleying."

"So be it," he said. "Be assured I will never cross this water into
Galland till you bid me."

He turned and rode home, and for a month was busied with the work of his
farms. When he came again it was on a dark day in November, and every
runnel of the fens was swollen. He got the same answer from the girl,
and with it a warning "Aelward and his men wait for you in the oakshaw,"
she told him. "I sent word to them when the thralls brought news of
you." And her pretty face was hard and angry.

Jehan laughed. "Now, by your leave, mistress, I will wait here the hour
or two till nightfall. I am Englishman enough to know that your folk do
not strike in the dark."

He returned to Highstead unscathed, and a week later came a message from
Aelward. "Meet me," it ran, "to-morrow by the Danes' barrow at noon,
and we will know whether Englishman or Frenchman is to bear rule in this
land."

Jehan donned his hauberk and girt himself with his long sword. "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