The next day the Norse chiefs went to York and took the required oath, and
were then escorted back to their ships. So terrible had been the
slaughter, so complete the destruction of the invading army, that, even
including the guard that remained at the fleet, twenty-four ships sufficed
to carry away home the survivors of the mighty host. The task of burying
the slain was too great to be undertaken, and for many years afterwards the
field of battle was whitened with the bones of the invaders who had fallen
there.
On the day after the battle Harold returned with his army to York. Here all
who had fallen away from the cause of England were pardoned. Measures were
taken for making the fighting strength of the North available for the
general defence of the country. The wounded were cared for in the houses of
the citizens, and for five days the troops rested after their prodigious
exertions.
Early in the morning after the battle Osgod's wound had been seared with
red-hot irons. He had borne the pain unflinchingly, saying that he had
suffered as much from burns more than once while learning his trade as an
armourer. Wulf was not present, as he had thrown himself down to sleep as
soon as he had been relieved at daylight, but he saw him before he started
with the king for York.
"Yes, it hurts a bit, master," Osgod replied in answer to his inquiries. "I
could not expect otherwise. You will have to do without me for a few days.
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