We were to take it in turns to watch.
Wulf was on guard, and as I awoke at his shout I saw him cut down that
villain who lies there with a cleft skull There were three others. I fell
upon one, Osgod took another, while Wulf engaged the man who seemed to be
the leader. Wulf's sword broke, but he closed with his opponent and they
fell together. Osgod ran his man through, and my opponent fled. I could not
catch him until he reached the door, but as that was closed he could fly no
farther, and I slew him there."
"Who and what are these men, good Beorn?"
"They are, I believe, Normans; but I know naught for certain beyond the
fact that the leader, he with whom Wulf was engaged, is Walter Fitz-Urse,
who was a page of the Bishop William of London, and was well known at the
court."
Exclamations of fury and indignation broke from those around, with the
cries of "Death to the Normans!"
Harold raised his hand. "Silence, my friends. Let us be fair and just as it
becomes Englishmen. There are villains of all nations, and it is not
because four caitiffs have thought to do a good service to their duke by
getting rid of me that we should blame men who will abhor this crime as
much as we can do. First let us see if Beorn is right as to this man. Hold
a torch to his face. It is Fitz-Urse truly. He was of knightly blood, but
has died in a most unknightly business. Wulf's dagger is still in his
throat. Let us see if we know anything of the others.
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