And when King William saw the splinters, he was as joyful as man could be, and said,—
“Send him to me, and tell him, Bright shines the sun to me that lights Hereward into Winchester.”
“But, Lord King, he has with him a meinie of full forty knights.”
“So much the better. I shall have the more valiant Englishmen to help my valiant French.”
So Hereward rode round, outside the walls, to William’s new entrenched palace, outside the west gate, by the castle.
And then Hereward went in, and knelt before the Norman, and put his hands between William’s hands, and swore to be his man.
“I have kept my word,” said he, “which I sent to thee at Rouen seven years agone. Thou art King of all England; and I am the last man to say so.”
“And since thou hast said it, I am King indeed. Come with me, and dine; and to-morrow I will see thy knights.”
And William walked out of the hall leaning on Hereward’s shoulder, at which all the Normans gnashed their teeth with envy.
“And for my knights, Lord King? Thine and mine will mix, for a while yet, like oil and water; and I fear lest there be murder done between them.”