“Liar!” exclaimed Thorward fiercely, for he was a very resolute man when roused; “go, tell her that the assertion was a falsehood. Go now, and come back to tell me thou hast done it, else will I chop thy carcase into mince-meat. Go; I will await thee here.”
He laid his hand upon his sword, but Biarne said quietly, “I go, sir;” and, turning round, hastened up to the hamlet.
Thorward could scarcely believe his eyes, for Biarne was fully as stout as himself, and somewhat taller, besides having the look of a courageous man. He had issued his imperative mandate more as a defiance and challenge than anything else, so that he gazed after the retreating Biarne with mingled feelings of surprise, contempt, and pity; but surprise predominated. He had not long to wait, however, for in about ten minutes Biarne returned.
“Well, have you told her?”
“I have,” replied Biarne.
“Hah!” exclaimed Thorward, very much perplexed, and not knowing what to say next.
“But, Thorward,” said Biarne, after a momentary pause, “methinks that you and I must fight now.”
“With all my heart,” answered Thorward, much relieved, and again grasping his sword.
“Nay, not with such weapons,” said Biarne, stepping up to him, “but with the weapons of friendship.”
With that he bestowed such a hearty buffet on Thorward’s left ear that it turned the irascible man head over heels, and laid him at full length on the sand.