Then Beltane reached down and took Ulf’s hairy hand in his.

“Ulf,” said he, “thou that God hath blessed with such noble strength, methinks ’neath thy grim shape thy heart is noble also, and thy soul, mayhap, straight and lovely.  So will I make thee brother in arms to my faithful Roger, that ye two shall ride ever near me when the battle joins.”

Now Ulf the strong stood up erect upon his feet, and on his swart cheeks great tears rolled, glistening.

“Lord!” said he, “O Beltane, my lord and master—­” and bowed grim head with sudden sob, whereat Beltane questioned him full hastily, as thus: 

“Art wounded, Ulf!  And whence come ye in such guise?”

“Lord,” says Ulf, wiping off his tears and choking upon a sob, “I came through Bloody Pertolepe’s array.”

“Through?—­nay, how mean you?” questioned Beltane, the while Sir Benedict and many wondering knights and esquires pressed round them in a ring.

“I mean through, lord, for Walkyn’s need is dire.  So burst I through them—­I had an axe but it brake in my hold, see you, even as this my sword—­alack, there is no weapon that I do not break!  Howbeit here am I, lord, hither come with word for one Sir Benedict of Bourne that did covenant to meet with Walkyn here at Winisfarne!”

“Behold us here—­speak on!” quoth Sir Benedict.

“Thus, then, saith Walkyn o’ the Dene:  That scarce had he stormed and set fire to yonder prison-keep, than from the south cometh a great company, the which he at the first did take for ye.  But, in a while, behold Sir Pertolepe’s accursed Raven banner, the which giveth Walkyn much to think.  Now cometh to him one beyond all women noble and gracious and holy (as I do know) the fair and stately Abbess Veronica, who, years agone, did build and endow yon great and goodly abbey, wherein all poor desolate souls should be cherished and comforted by her and her saintly nuns, and where the stricken fugitive might find sanctuary and peace and moreover be healed of his hurts. (All this know I since I was fugitive, hurt and very woeful and found me solace there.) So cometh this noble lady to Walkyn (and with her, I) and speaketh him calm and sweetly, thus:  ’Yonder rideth Sir Pertolepe that is knight of noble birth, yet the rather would I trust myself and these my good sisters in thy hands, O man!  So do I pray thee when thou goest hence, yield us the protection of thy strength, so shall heaven bless thee!’ Hereon Walkyn frowned and plucked his beard awhile, but thereafter, came he to kneel and kiss her hand and swear to aid her the while life him lasted.  Then summoned he his company (lusty fellows all) and called for thirty men that would remain to hold Red Pertolepe in play what time he seeketh place of greater vantage well beknown to him.  Forthwith stood out one Tall Orson hight (a doughty fellow) and with him nine and twenty other lusty fellows, right willing (and with them, I) and thereafter Walkyn formeth his company