With one sweep of his heavy sword he severed it from the stem and returned to his companions.
“Have you taken an ill-will at that tree, or were you only testing the strength of your arm?” asked Maikar.
“Neither, my friend; but I must have a javelin to make my equipment complete, and I would advise you and the captain to provide yourselves with like weapons, for we may meet with four-footed as well as two-legged foes in these parts. I will show you how to point the things with flint.”
“That is well said,” returned the seaman, rising and going into the woods in search of a suitable branch, followed by the captain.
It was late that night before the weapons were shaped and pointed with flint and all ready for a start on the following morning—the only thing wanting to complete their armament being a couple of shields.
“We are sure to meet with a wild boar or a bull before long, or it may be a bear,” said Maikar, “and the hides of any of these will serve our purpose well.”
“That is, if we use them well,” remarked the captain.
“No one said otherwise,” retorted Maikar. “Some people are so full of wise thoughts that they blurt them out, without reason, apparently to get rid of them.”
“Just so, Maikar, therefore blurt out no more, but hold thy tongue and go to sleep. Good-night.”