use, the cot to wit above
told of, and then they came into a fair little clough with a bright
stream running through it toward the Sundering Flood; and there were
bushes and small wood up and down the clough, and there Waywearer,
that is to say, Steelhead, drew rein, and said to Osberne: "Meseems
this is as far as thou needest lead me out, lad, so let us off horse
and go down and sit by the brook."

So they did, and tied their horses to a thorn-bush growing thereby;
and Waywearer took the bundle off his horse and said to Osberne: "Hast
thou any guess at what this good thing is?" Osberne reddened and said:
"That is the sword which thou didst promise me last spring." Waywearer
laughed and said: "Sharp are thine eyes to see a sword through all
this wrappage of cerecloth; surely they be of the warrior kin. But
sooth hast thou said; this is thy sword." And therewith he fell to
undoing the cloth, while the boy looked on eagerly.

At last the hilts and the sheath showed naked: the pommel and cross
were of gold of beauteous and wonderful fashion, such as no smith may
work now, and the grip was wrapped about with golden wire. And the
sheath wherein lay the deadly white edges was of brown leather of
oxhide, studded about with knops of gold and silver, and the
peace-strings were of scarlet silk with golden acorns at the ends.

Said Osberne: "O thou art kind to have brought this for me: and may I
handle it now and at once?"

"Yea," said Steelhead smiling; "but beware, beware!" for he saw the
lad lay his hand to the peace-strings; "do not away the peace-strings,
lest thou be tempted to draw forth the blade. For this sword is hight
Boardcleaver, and was fashioned by the fathers of long ago; and so
wise is he and so eager, that whensoever he cometh forth from the
sheath he will not go back again till he hath had a life. So beware
ever, for mickle scathe shall come of it if he see the heavens and the
earth for light cause."

Somewhat daunted was the bold lad; but he said: "Tell me, thou bright
lord, at what times I shall draw forth Boardcleaver?"

Said Steelhead: "Only then when thou hast the foe before thee: then
draw and be of good courage, for never shall point and edge be dulled
by the eye-shot of the wicked and wizards, as whiles it befals the
common blades of today. For a man of might hath breathed on the edges
amidst much craft of spells, so that nought may master that blade,
save one of its brethren fashioned by the same