"The king of Norway," answered one of his companions.
"He is a tall and stately warrior," answered Harold, "but his end is near."
Then, under command of the king, one of his noble followers rode up to the opposing line and called out,—
"Is Tostig, the son of Godwin, here?"
"It would be wrong to say he is not," answered the rebel Englishman, stepping into view.
The herald then begged him to make peace with his brother, saying that it was dreadful that two men, sons of the same mother, should be in arms against each other.
"What will Harold give me if I make peace with him?" asked Tostig.
"He will give you a brother's love and make you earl of Northumberland."
"And what will he give to my friend, the king of Norway?"
"Seven feet of earth for a grave," was the grim answer of the envoy; "or, as he seems a very tall man, perhaps a foot or two more."