Then the blood mounted to Iron-face's head, and he forgat folk and
kindred and the war to come, and he cried so that all the place rang
with the words of his anger:
'Thou dastard! I see thee now; it is thou that hast done this, and
not the maiden; and now thou hast made her bear a double burden, and
set her on to speak for thee, whilst thou standest by saying nought,
and wilt take no scruple's weight of her shame upon thee!'
But his son spake never a word, and Iron-face cried: 'Out on thee!
I know thee now, and why thou wouldest not to the West-land last
winter. I am no fool; I know thee. Where hast thou hidden the
stranger woman?'
Therewith he drew forth his sword and hove it aloft as if to hew down
Face-of-god, who spake not nor flinched nor raised a hand from his
side. But the Bride threw herself in front of Gold-mane, while there
arose an angry cry of 'The Peace of the Holy Thing! Peace-breaking,
peace-breaking!' and some cried, 'For the War-leader, the War-
leader!' and as men could for the press they drew forth their swords,
and there was tumult and noise all over the Thing-stead.
But Stone-face caught hold of the Alderman's right arm and dragged
down the sword, and the big carle, Red-coat of Waterless, came up
behind him and cast his arms about his middle and drew him back; and
presently he looked around him, and slowly sheathed his sword, and
went back to his place and sat him down; and in a little while the
noise abated and swords were sheathed, and men waxed quiet again, and
the Alderman arose and said in a loud voice, but in the wonted way of
the head man of the Thing:
'Here hath been trouble in the Holy Thing; a violent man hath
troubled it, and drawn sword on a neighbour; will the neighbours give
the dooming hereof into the hands of the Alderman?'
Now all knew Iron-face, and they cried out, 'That will we.
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