Part 28 (1/2)

Next morning they had rowed near to London Bridge when they saw a boat approaching. The day had broken, but the light was still uncertain. As the boat approached, however, Ulf said: ”There is a boy in the boat, master, and he wears an apprentice's cap. Maybe that it is Ernulf.” The other boat was keeping close insh.o.r.e, for the tide had begun to run down. The armourer told the boatman to row closer in, and presently called the boy's name.

”Yes, master, it is I; I was just coming to you with news.”

In a couple of minutes the boats were alongside of each other. ”What is your news, Ernulf? But I can guess; the s.h.i.+p has sailed.”

”Yes, master; I lay down by the open window, and an hour before day broke I was aroused by the creaking of ropes, and looking out could see that the s.h.i.+p was getting up sail. Tide was then just on the turn, and five minutes later her sails were spread and she went down the river. I came off to tell you, but was some time before I could get a boat.”

”Come on board here, Ernulf,” the armourer said, ”your message has saved us further journey.” He then paid off the lad's boatman, and with his two apprentices returned to Westminster. ”Beorn will be up by this time, Ulf.

You had best go and tell him the news. I will come with you to save time, though I see not that there is aught to be done.”

The thane at once came out and chatted for some time with Ulred, while Ulf stood by, cap in hand. ”It is certain that something should be done, and yet I see not what it can be. What think you, boy? I see by your eyes that you would fain speak.”

”I should say, my lord, that it would be a good thing if we could discover whether the Norman is still at the bishop's palace. He may have returned early this morning.”

”That can easily be done,” Beorn said. ”I will send my man to the bishop's and bid him ask one of the servants if Walter Fitz-Urse is in. He need not say that he comes from me, only that he has a message to deliver. If the servant says he is there I will bid my fellow slip away when the man goes to fetch him down. Supposing he has gone, as I should think he has done, what then?”

”Then, my lord, I think there is more danger than if the Norman remained here. It may be that the Normans have returned to France and abandoned any plans they may have entertained. But it seems to me far more likely that they have gone north to carry out the enterprise.”

”Whither, think you, will they be bound, Ulf?”

”I should say to the Humber, my lord. They may on landing proceed to York, or, if they have really designs against the king's life, may take post somewhere on the road down from that city.”

”By my faith the boy is right,” Beorn said. ”What say you, master armourer?”

”I say the same, my lord. The villains have slipped through our fingers, and we can do nought to stay them. It seems to me that not an hour should be lost in sending a warning to the Thane of Steyning.”

”I will mount myself and ride north,” Beorn said.

”And I, my lord, will at once go down to the port and inquire if there be a s.h.i.+p sailing to-day for the Humber. Scarce a day pa.s.ses that one or more do not start for the northern ports. Yes, Ulf, I shall take you with me.

You are charged with this business by the Thane of Steyning, and I am but aiding you in it. I will go straight away to the city, my lord, and if a s.h.i.+p be sailing--and after so long a bout of east wind it is like that many will be doing so--I will be back in an hour with the news. Maybe I can find a quick sailer, and shall be at one of the ports in the Humber before the craft that left this morning.”

”By the time you return I shall have found out whether Fitz-Urse is at the bishop's palace, and shall have my horses ready to mount.”

The armourer learnt in the city that several s.h.i.+ps for the North had already dropped down the river, and that three others were hastily completing their lading, and would follow by the next tide. He learnt from a trader that one of them was considered especially fast, and being acquainted with the owner, he took the armourer with him, and arranged for a pa.s.sage for him and the boy.

”You will have to be on board this afternoon,” the owner said. ”The s.h.i.+pmaster will not waste a tide, but as soon as it turns will up anchor and make his way down the river in the dark. He knows the channel well, and there will be light enough to enable him to hold on his course all night.

The east wind may return again, and he might be caught; so he has decided to start as soon as the last bale is on board. He knows the sands well, and you may reckon on a speedy pa.s.sage if the wind holds as it is, or even if it goes round to the east again, when he is once abreast of Harwich.”

On returning to Westminster Ulred learnt from Beorn that Fitz-Urse was there no longer, having, as the servant said, left for Normandy.

”I am just starting, Ulred. Which will be at York first, you or I?”

”It depends upon the wind, my lord. A s.h.i.+p can sail night and day, but a horse and rider must take some rest. It may be that we shall lay to at night, but that must depend upon the s.h.i.+pmaster. If the breeze holds and the s.h.i.+p goes on without stopping, methinks we shall be there before you.”

”At any rate,” Beorn said, ”we may feel sure that we shall both be in time.

Whatever their designs they will have to lay their plans and wait their opportunity, and such may not come for some time. Farewell, then, Ulred, and a safe voyage to you. As for me, I have had enough of the sea, and never wish to set foot on board s.h.i.+p again; for what with the want of s.p.a.ce and the tossing and the sickness, I would rather pa.s.s the time in bonds in a prison cell than be cooped up in a s.h.i.+p.”

A few minutes later Beorn, attended by his servants, started for the North, and in the afternoon Ulred, after giving many orders to his head man as to the conduct of his business during his absence, took boat, and with Ulf went on board the s.h.i.+p. To the armourer it was a very serious undertaking upon which he was embarking. He had never before set foot on board of a s.h.i.+p, and a sea-voyage in those days was regarded as a very dangerous business. Nothing short of his loyalty to Harold would have induced him to have ventured on such an expedition. It was but a few months since that the Northumbrians had been burning and sacking the country round Northampton, and even putting aside the dangers of the sea, he regarded the visit to the North as full of peril.

Ulf on the other hand was delighted. To him the journey was full of interest and excitement, and on his return he would be regarded as a great traveller by his comrades. His face, therefore, as he climbed on board s.h.i.+p, was in strong contrast to the grave and serious visage of his master.