"Then they have been insulting, robbing, and murdering all over the country."
Just then I interrupted them, for I could no longer hear the blasphemy.
"How now, Siric," said I; "hast thou come to Aescendune to revile the saints?"
"Nay, Father," said he, with a mocking smile; "I was only rejoicing that they were not exposed to such trials as we. Job's Chaldeans were gentlefolk in comparison with our Danes."
"Thou blasphemest; and what didst thou say of the blessed St. Brice?"
"Only that I wished he were living now to tame the cutthroats who live in our midst, and who murder and rob daily, just in mere sport, or to keep their hands in."
"What new outrages have occurred?" I asked.
"A party of the heathen carried off the cattle from my farm down the water early this morning, and slew the herdsman."
"Dost thou know who the fellows were?"
"All too well; they were Anlaf's men."