OGMUND DINT SATISFIES HIMSELF, AND SAILS HOME
CHAPTER V OGMUND DINT SATISFIES HIMSELF, AND SAILS HOME
Ogmund walked briskly into the street, looking for Halward. At first he could not find him, but that was because he looked in the wrong places. Then, after a time, he turned into a lane or by-way which led to a creek, and a row of buildings facing it, with willow-trees in front of them, between them and the water. One of these buildings was an inn, and in the court of that inn there was a company of men washing their hands before supper. The tallest of them by far was Halward, and if Ogmund had not remembered him very well without it, he would have known him by the twist in his neck, which made him poke his head out like a stork when she is stretching hers forward to flack her wings. It was now dusk, and a lamp was alight in the court that men might see what they were about.
Ogmund with the hood well forward over his face stepped into the court. Before him was Halward, standing with his legs apart. He was rubbing the soap-suds into one arm with the other hand. His face and beard were wet with rinsing. He saw the entry and hailed it with a "God save thee, Gunnar"; but Ogmund laid a finger on his lip and beckoned him to come apart with an air of having a secret to tell. Having done that, he stepped out of the court until Halward should follow him.
Halward came after him with a "What's in the wind then?" Ogmund drew into a doorway, and got his sword free of his cloak. The moment Halward came within range of him he stepped out to meet him and hewed at his neck. It was Halward's death-blow. He shook and groaned thickly, and then fell. His head was nearly off.
Ogmund went away with all speed, and was not long coming to the quay where he had left his boat. He found his men waiting for him, and jumped into the boat.