might have been before he left
Ireland, lest he should be out of the fashion, and it spoilt his
looks, though it would be many a long day before he had it properly
matted together again. It was strange to see men tossing these
shocks aside as they turned.

One other thing I noted at once, and that was how every man, high
or low, carried a long-handled axe, bright and keen. It was the
only weapon of some, and if they knew how to handle it, maybe they
needed no other.

Among all that crowd there were only two men who seemed to shine in
any magnificence. One was the old king, who sat waiting us in a
great chair, clad in royal robes of scarlet and white and green
which no Irish looms could have compassed, with a little golden
crown on his white hair, and the torque round his neck. The other
was a bishop in mitre and all state robes, wonderfully worked, and
with a crosier in his hand. Not having seen the like before I
wondered most at him, but his looks were kind and pleasant. Phelim
told me who and what he was afterward.

Myrkiartan came from his throne to greet us as we passed through a
lane of wild courtiers, who had looks which were not all of the
most friendly for us. But we paid no heed to them, though I thought
that Hakon was well advised when he sent us instead of coming
himself. That first greeting was for us alone as the comrades of
Dalfin, and it was a good welcome. Then the king went back to his
throne with all ceremony, to receive us as the embassy from Hakon.
There was no little state kept up in this court, and matters were
to be kept in their right order.

Now, I need say little of all this ceremony and the words which
passed of thanks to Hakon for driving the enemy to his end.
Myrkiartan made no suggestion that Hakon should stay here, and
seemed more willing to speed him on his way elsewhere. Presently,
he said, there should be sent to the strand oxen and casks of mead
as provender for the voyage, and Hakon was most welcome to take the
ship if he would.

Thereon Dalfin asked for the captives, and they were brought in--a
dozen Danes, who stared at their captors haughtily in spite of
their bonds. Then they spied Bertric in the splendid arms which
Gerda gave him, for we had come fully armed, and they looked toward
him as if they would ask his help, but were too proud to do so. And
then of a sudden one of them spoke my name, and I knew him, though
his face was half-hidden in the mud of the field on which