CHAPTER XI.

How Sir Otto defeated the Pagans in Finland.

Through many a forest, and over many a mountain and desolate heath, had Sir Otto now travelled, till at length he arrived at the Swedish frontiers, and found that the army which was to attack the Finland idolaters had already crossed the heights which formed the boundary, and that on the very next day there was to be a decisive battle. Sir Otto’s troop, who were always urging their way forward with impatience, had many times been warned to be on their guard, lest a party of the enemy might form an ambuscade, and attack them when they least expected any danger. The knight and his Norman heroes, however, only laughed at such advice, and answered,--“Nay, nay; let them be on their guard against us. If they are wise, they will not throw themselves so readily in our way.”

It happened one day, that a few men, who had been sent forward in order to explore the country, returned in great haste, and informed Sir Otto, that a powerful troop of horse, much more numerous than that which he commanded, was in advance to meet him. According to their armour and accoutrements, they were not Finlanders, but noble Swedes; so that it seemed possible the battle might have been unfortunate, and this might be a part of the Christian army now retreating. At these words the brow of every brave Norman was furrowed with disappointment and apprehension; but Sir Otto, having quickly resolved what it was best for him to do, left the command of the troop to the same youth who had rode the race with him at Sir Arinbiorn’s castle, and went forwards alone. He directed that his troop should for the present halt, nor advance farther until he gave the signal by a powerful blast from a war-horn, which he always carried with him, and which had been the gift of the sea-monarch. Some of his knights entreated that he, as their commander, would not thus expose himself on the first approach of danger; to which he answered kindly, but resolutely, “The great Sigurd, of whom you have so many favourite ballads, always rode out alone when he wished to learn the position of the enemy. Let me for once imitate him.” With these words he set spurs to his horse, and trotted along through some low-lying thickets, after which he made his way to the top of an eminence, from whence he could have a good view of the surrounding country.

Halting at this place, he perceived not only one troop of horse, as it had been described to him, but three powerful bands, who were now drawing together, though whether they approached him as friends or foes he was yet ignorant. That they were bold and experienced warriors he could have no doubt; for their movements were precise, and their accoutrements splendid; and for the same reason he was convinced that they were not Finlanders, but Christian Swedes. While he was reflecting on this he perceived coming up the hill towards him a powerful roan horse, bearing a knight of tall slender figure with a heavy rattling harness, and a great plume of black horse-hair on his helmet, which waved wildly in the wind. “Who is there?” cried the stranger, at the same time throwing back his visor, and revealing a fair youthful countenance and handsome features. “A Norman,” answered Sir Otto, “and a friend to the Swedish cause.” “One more question,” said the stranger. “Art thou for Odin, or for Christ?” “Fy on the sinful question!” answered Sir Otto. “Is not Norway converted, and do you believe that we are apostates from the true faith?” Hereupon the Swedish knight raised his javelin, and poised it in his hand. “Beware then,” cried he; “for know that we are the firm adherents of the great Odin, and supporters of the ancient faith and customs of our forefathers; and, therefore, there is not a man in your squadron who shall find his way to the Christian army.” “Now then it is my turn to bid thee beware, thou pagan!” answered Sir Otto, lifting his spear, and both young knights having closed their visors, rode their horses round and round, each watching his opportunity for an attack. Accordingly it was not long ere Sir Otto perceived his adversary’s arm upraised, and in the same moment the heavy javelin came thundering on his head, so that he tottered and shook from the violence of the blow, and could scarcely bear the lively motion of his light-brown steed. But the eagle’s visor had been proof against the javelin; and the horse’s rapid movements rendered it impossible for the Swede to reach Sir Otto with his sword, until such time as the knight had been able to regain his place firmly in the saddle, and to poise his spear, which he hurled with such fury at his adversary, that it went resistlessly through his helmet; and when Sir Otto rode up, intending to attack him, also sword in hand, he found that this was needless; for the Swedish knight fell in a moment powerless on the earth, and his roan horse, wildly affrighted, broke away, and ran through the thickets into the valley. The conqueror went up mournfully to his fallen foe, and looked with deep sorrow on his countenance, already pale and fixed in death, for the spear had struck deep into his forehead.

Suddenly, however, there was heard a great rustling and rattling from the thickets on all sides, and five or six comrades of the fallen Swede now broke forth with drawn swords, and shouts of wrath, to revenge his death; so that the young knight had indeed sufficient opportunity to try the temper of the blade which Asmandur had made for him. Nor did it fail to render him good service; right and left his assailants were thrown prostrate on the ground, till at length time was allowed him to blow a powerful summons on Sir Arinbiorn’s battle-horn, and in a few minutes his Norman squadron came galloping up the hill to his assistance. Then the enemy always increased in number; but only one narrow path was left for their approach; and when those who now gained the top of the hill perceived that their leader as well as many of their noblest comrades had already fallen, they were panic-struck, and fled, forcing back resistlessly in their retreat those who were coming to their assistance. Ere the skirmish ended the ground was indeed covered with the dead and wounded, though Sir Otto on his side had not lost even a single man. He took possession of their horses and weapons, and with these trophies came up on the same evening with the Christian forces.

The shouts of joy with which he was received, when the Christians perceived among other booty the well-known accoutrements of the pagan, who had first been slain by Sir Otto, made him fully aware of the important service which he had then rendered. His victim in that single combat had indeed been the terror of every Christian soldier; and now, when his blood-stained cuirass and broken helmet were borne in triumph through the camp, every heart was encouraged by the sight, and all looked with hope and confidence to the next engagement. The commander of the army, who was a prince of the Swedish royal blood, a man already in years, grave and experienced, came out to welcome the young Norman leader, thanked him with dignified kindness, and led him into his tent. There he inquired into all the events of his long march, and whether he could give him any news of Sir Arinbiorn. After Sir Otto had answered all his questions, and especially had explained the sea-monarch’s design in sailing round the Finland coast, the prince took him kindly by the hand, and said,--“Heaven has indeed opportunely sent one of the best and bravest of Christian knights to our assistance. Your strength and courage are already proved by your victory over the pagan leader; and from your wise discourse, I am no less convinced of your skill and decision in counsel. I shall therefore not conceal from you, noble sir, that I intend to-morrow morning to make a decisive attack on these pagan hordes. In that engagement, your squadron, if it so please you, shall ride on the left wing of my army; but, as for yourself, you shall remain with me in the centre, until I shall have pointed out to you the exact time and place when you can gallop off, and lead your troop round against the right wing of the enemy, so as to attack them in the flank and rear. Such a champion as you are I have often wished to secure for exploits like these. God be with you, and may you sleep soundly this night, that you may come to me in the morning with a clear head and vigorous limbs; for our contest will be long and bloody.”

Thereafter Sir Otto, with his heart heaving high within him, from anticipation of the honours which might next morning be won, retired through the passes of the camp towards his own soldiers. On the way he heard an old Swedish horseman say to his comrade,--“To-morrow we shall doubtless have a decisive battle.” “Wherefore do you think so?” said the other. “Why,” answered the veteran, “do you not observe the vultures and ravens, which fly in great numbers over the plain before us? Such gentry well know what they are about; and, moreover, there are eagles among them, which doubtless come in expectation of a royal banquet on the blood-stained heath.” Otto passed on, deeply meditating on these words; and would, indeed, have watched through the whole night, which now began to settle around him, but he recollected the admonitions of the prince, wrapt himself in his war-mantle, and, despite of the visions which confused his senses and perturbed his rest, he at last fell asleep.

After a few hours the bright ruddy gleams of morning came slanting along the grass, and a blast was heard from the war-horns, reminding the soldiers that it was time for the riders to saddle their horses, and for the foot squires to make ready their bows and arrows. Otto, after a short space, had leapt into the saddle, paraded his squadron, and rode on with them to the place appointed on the left wing. There he once more selected the same youth with whom he had rode the race for their commander, and said,--“My brave Norman warriors, be contented here till I come to you again, and lead you on the glorious path to victory or death. Till my return you will ride here on the left wing of the army. On this give me your words of honour.”--“We pledge our lives, honour, and faith, to obey your commands,” answered the Normans; and thereafter Sir Otto galloped on to the centre of the forces, where the prince was already on horseback, surrounded by his most distinguished captains, and with many soldiers around him who knew how to blow the war-horn, with whose notes the woods and distant mountains now rung and echoed.--“You will remain by my side,” said the prince, with a friendly salutation, to Sir Otto, “though ere long I shall have occasion to send you farther. Do you now perceive the multitude opposite to us, whose numbers are every moment increasing, and pouring down like torrents from the mountain-cliffs on the plain? Do you hear how they roar and howl, like wild beasts? Whoever trusts merely to a direct attack on such an enemy, will fare but hardly, and indeed achieve little; for they disperse themselves like dust or vapour on all sides, and, as if in mockery, assail us from quarters least expected, and where we are least on our guard. Yet, whoever once breaks the arrangements they have made, and cuts off the re-enforcement of new soldiers, who are always pouring down from the mountains, will utterly damp their courage, and render them powerless. For this purpose I have chosen you. When we have advanced a little farther, I shall render my plans more intelligible. Now, in the name of God, let us proceed!”--With these words he threw his javelin high in the air, and caught it as it fell; the notes of the battle-horns sounded with deafening noise like thunder around him;--the sounds were answered, as if re-echoed from every squadron through the army;--and the whole forces, both horse and foot, advanced, as if inspired by one impulse, along the plain. On the other hand, the Finlanders also approached, continuing all the while their wild shouting and howling. Ere long they sent forth a shower of arrows and javelins against the Christian troops, which distance, and the protection of good shields, rendered yet ineffective; so that the more experienced warriors laughed at this mockery of a battle.

Both parties advanced always nearer and nearer to each other, and the martial music of the Swedes continued to sound aloud, though oftentimes the tones were rather like a solemn farewell, than a cheering anticipation of victory. Sir Otto’s bosom swelled with inspiration, such as he had before never known. What were now all the heart-rousing enjoyments of the tournament, compared with the feelings excited by this noble union of heroic champions, in defence of their holy religion, among whom numberless voices, as if animated with the same spirit, were heard to exclaim, “Onwards! onwards! We shall live and die together! Wives, children, and betrothed brides, we bid you farewell! Here there awaits us victory or death!” In the van of either army many brave soldiers were now seen to drop; and already many bands both of horse and foot were closely engaged, without any determined advantage having been won. The Finlanders, according to the description given of them by the prince, began to spread themselves out like a dense cloud that dissolves into mist, and to attack the Christian army unexpectedly on the wings. Suddenly the prince, with his eyes eagerly flashing, turned to Sir Otto. “Do you mark,” said he, “that long and deep trench on the left? They have stationed their right wing along there, because they trust that none of our troops can leap over it. But you, with your light-brown Norman horses, can doubtless undertake that service?”

“Truly we have encountered bolder leaps among the mountains,” said Otto with a smile. “Nay,” said the prince, “do not suppose that the undertaking is altogether so easy. Mark you, that, according to the station which we now hold, you have twice to leap over the fosse; first, here on our left, in order to get round the enemy, then back again towards the right, before you will find yourself in the situation to make an effectual attack.” “So much the better,” answered Sir Otto; “that will afford us good exercise both for man and horse, and tame the too violent spirit of our Norman steeds. A tight gallop and a few hard leaps are, methinks, the best possible means to bring a cavalry squadron into good order.”

“You speak like a wise and experienced warrior,” answered the prince. “So then take your course behind that wooded hill, that the enemy may not observe you when you first leap over the trench. Then, when you afterwards prepare for attack, and find enough of employment for your own eyes, be watchful and prudent, so as neither to be too rash nor too tardy in your onset.” “Have you any other commands?” said Sir Otto, with the confidence of victory expressed on his clear open forehead. The prince waved his hand, in token that he might depart, and the young knight galloped swift as the wind over the rugged heath, to join his brave Norman squadron.

They welcomed him with loud shouts of gratulation; for now, as they thought, a direct attack was to be made on the foe. When their leader, however, ordered them away to the left, and they came behind the wooded cliffs, there were gloomy looks visible through the ranks, and some young men even began to murmur, and question Sir Otto, whither they were thus led, as if retreating from the field. The older knights, however, reproved them sternly. “Have you then neither good manners nor discipline?” said they. “Has not our leader issued his commands, and do you know aught better than to obey him? If so, be leaders yourselves as soon as you may, and take yourselves hence in God’s name.” Then all were again silent and obedient. Over the deep trench they all passed without hesitation; for not one horse fell, or even stumbled; and they rode along behind the wooded eminence, which now lay betwixt them and the fosse; while Sir Otto was enabled at intervals to reconnoitre the enemy through breaks among the trees, though they on their part could not observe him. The battle-cries became always louder and more furious; the air was filled with dust, and the Finland forces rushed forward as if they were gaining the upper-hand. Then Sir Otto perceived, that the time for leaping back over the trench and attacking the enemy’s wing was near at hand. This was his first attempt as a captain on the field of battle; and his heart beat quick, not with impatience only, but with doubts what course it was now best for him to pursue. “Be not too slow nor too rash,” said he to himself, repeating the advice which the prince had given him at his departure, and watching with eager eyes every movement of the enemy. At length, “Would it be too rash now?” muttered he to himself; but immediately after he added, in a loud and firm tone, “In God’s name, and to the best of my judgment, this is the right and only moment for attack, and he would be a pitiful coward who would stand considering how to do more than Providence has placed in his power.” At the same moment he drew his sword, and wielded it gleaming over his head. The whole troop at the same instant obeyed the signal, and swift as lightning began to leap again over the trench, whence, with loud and terrific shouts, they commenced their attack on the enemy in the rear-guard and flank. The worthy pupil of the old Knight of Trautwangen had chosen his time with good reflection and discretion. Both horse and foot among the pagans fled with cries of despair from the trench; and the Norman squadron, without troubling themselves with the fugitives, whom they could easily have taken prisoners, always urged their way onwards like a destroying tempest, wherever the enemy’s force still remained dense and collected together. “Down with them! down with them, brave Normans! now is your time!” cried Sir Otto, and his words were echoed in shouts of exultation by the whole squadron, who, in a short time, performed such services, that the Swedish army were enabled to advance even to the very spot on which the Normans were contending; thereafter the pagans all took to flight, and were scattered widely through the field in every direction; very many were slain, and many taken prisoners.

At last the old prince came riding across the plain; he threw himself from his horse, and heartily embraced Sir Otto, who had also dismounted. “Brave Swedes!” then he cried aloud, “behold in this youth the scion of a noble oak-tree, under whose protecting shade the whole of our land may yet one day rejoice in peace and security!”