The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-06-11

Here stand he,' answered the rebel, from
the centre of the Norwegian Phalanx, which,
with lowered spears, awaited the attack.
sThy brother,' replied Harold, concealed
by the frontlet Of his barred helmet from all
recognition, sends thee his greeting-offers
thee peace, and friendship, and all thine an
cient honors.'
Good words!' cried I'osti, mighty good,
and widely different from the insults he be-
slowed on me last year! But if should ac-
cept the offer, what will he grant to Harold,
son Of Sigurd?'
Seven feet of English EARTH replied the
King, 'or since he be gigantic in his stature,
he shall have somewhat moren
Let Harold then address himself to bat
tle,' answered Tosti. None but liar ever
shall declare that Tosti, son of Goodwin, has
| played traitors part to Harold, son Of ST.
gurd.'
There was no more of parley. With a
shock, that was heard for leagues, the hosts
encountered; and in the very first encoun-
ter, pierced by an arrow in the throat, Ha-
drada fell, and to his place succeeded that
false brother and rebellious subject, Tosti,
the Saxon. Again the generous Harold Of
fered him peace and liberal conditions!
again his offers were insultingly rejected?
and once again, with more deadly fury
than before, the armies met, and, this time,
they fought it out, till not a leader or chief
of the Norwegian host was left alive, save
Olaf, Harold's son, and the prince bishop of
the Orkneys-Tosti, himself, having at
length obtained the fate he meri,ed SO richly.
A third time peace and amity were offered,
and now they were accepted; and swearing
| friendship to the English King for ever, the
Norsemen left the fatal land, wherein yet
weltered in their gore their King, the no.
bIest of their chiefs, and twice five thousand
of the bravest men of their brave nation.
But glorious as that day was justly deemed
and widely as it was sung and celebrated by
the Saxon bards-perfect as was the safety
which 1t wrought to all the northern coun-
ties-and freely as it suffered Harold to turn
his undivided force against whatever foe
might dare set hostile foot on English soil in
violate-still was that day decisive of his
fate !-decisive of the victory of William.
whose banners were already floating over
the narrow seas in proud anticipation OF their
coming triumph. 1t was bright and beau
teous morning in September, when the great
feet of William put to sea, the galley of the
} grand Duke leading. She was tall ship,
Of the largest tonnage then in use, well man.
) ned, and galIantly equipped; from the main
top-mast streamed the consecrated banner
( of the Pope, and from her peak, broad flag
: with blood red cross. Her sails were, not
I as now, of plain white canvass, but gorge
{ ously adorned with various colors, and bla-
al IL, II
3 which, though not then sciegM, was grow
/ ing gradually into esteem and use. In sew
e eral places might be seen depicted the three
: Lions, which were even then the arms Of
e Normandy; and on her prov was carved.
with the best skill of the French artis, q
e young child with a Bonded bow, and a shaft
g quiyering in the string. Fair blew the
}, breeze, and free the gallant ship careeret
before it-before the self same wind which
n at the self same moment was tossing on it!
J. Joyous pinions the proud and victorious ban
l. ners Of the Saxon King. Fair blew thu
7, breeze, and fast the ship Of William spec
e through the curling pillows fast that, err
n the sun set in the sea, the fleet was hui
! down in the offing, though staggering alon!
is under all press of sail. Night sank upon tn
70 sea, and faster flew the Duke; and as tn
IS morning broke, the chalkly cliffs of Albio
III were in full view, atthree leagues distance
Or William, who had slept all that night a
n soundly and as calmly as a child, stood o
8 the deck ere it was light enough to see tn
es largest object on the SEA one mile away
ct His first glance was toward the promise
Id land, he was soAIiftly nearing; his secon'
r. toward the off where he hoped to Sc
IN his gallant followers. Brighter and brights
" grew the morning, but not a speck was Wis
r. Die upon the clear horizon. Sup to the toE
a mast, Mariners cried the bold Duke; u
10 to the topmast head! And now what Sc
a. YEP he continued, as they sprang up in II
I'd pid emulation to that giddy height.
en- .Naught' cried the first-snaught, but th
re sea and skyn
g sAnchor, then-anchor, presently; W
no will await their coming, and in the NEAR
IN while, Sir Seneschal, serve us breakfa'
Isl of your best, and see there be no lack {
IT. wines, the strongest and the noblest! ant
,st | on the instant, the heavy plunge was hear
of of the huge anchor in the deep; the sal
ed were furled; and like living creature 81
IS, lowed with intellect, and moving BY volitioi
he the gallant ship swung round, awaiting Ii
nd arrival Of her consorts.
lat The feast was spread, and, from the hie
BE- Duke on the poop to the most humble mar
x ner upon the forecastle, the red wine flowe
nd for ali in generous profusion. Again a lool
nd out was sent up, and now he cried, 4 Sc
It'll far to seaward, the topsails Of four vessels
is A little pause consumed in revelry al
ost feasting, and once again the skip-boy elm
TX, ed the mast. Il see,' he said, the third tim
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