The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-20


The monste- If he could have seated him
self upon the throne, but, as it had been
hallowed by priestly benediction, it was
impossible for him to do So Every time
lie came near It some greater power
drove him back, and he was afraid.
People feared to move about, the high
ways were deserted and the taxes were
ungathered. The best dwelling houses
were deserted and ruinous. Men dared
not 60 near the fatal moor and no one
knew in which direction Grendel would
strike next. For 12 winters the demon
waged war against the race of the Skyl-
| ding and their friends. The king was
| dazed with the extent of the calamity
which had befallen the nation. He sum-
moned from time to time his best coun-
selors to concoct measures TO stop the
havoc of the fend, but nothing they
could devise was of any avail. The
Danes had been Christianized but for a
short time, and when the devastation of
Grcndel came upon them they in their
dire extremity, forgot that they were
Christians and fled for safety back to the
old gods of their fathers-to Odin, w.
den and Thor-begging help against the
goblin and offering sacrifices at the secret
shrines of the heather deities.
This was the state of things in this
realm of the aged Hrothgar when TIE
sailors brought news of what was hap
rening then to the land over which Hy-
gelae ruled. Beowulf heard them. Here
was his longed-fcr opportunity, he
thought. and he petitioned the King for
| MI. al
rades, to the relief of Hrothgar. Hygelac
summoned a council and consulted his
wise men and those people expert III
omens. They all praised Beowuf for his
| Gesire to undertake the adventure against
| Grendel and the omens were favorable
to the success of his undertaking. Per-
haps those wise old graybeards we're not
loath to send the youth abroad with his
fiery companions to work out his destiny
and cool his spirits in a distant enter
prise. II he stayed too long in Gothland
he might become too restless and too
troublesome to be curbed. At any rate,
! King Hygelac consented, and Beowulf
sailed away to succor Horthgar and his
stricken people. Beowulf ordered a stanch
ship to be made Tor him and selected as
fravest and noblest of the Gothic youths.
One of the most skillful pilots of the
realm was at the helm when the good
ship, stanch and true, stout of timber
| and graceful of lines, swift and graceful
as a sea bird, sailed out upon the Path
way of the Swans for the stricken lana
| of Nortnumbria.
So swift sailed she, with such marvel
Gus speed did her carved and curving
PROV cut the waters, that before the next
day the voyagers saw, lying low along
1.-The horizon, the land they sought. AS
they approached it resolved itself into
Hand cleaning with high cliffs and mighty
headands jutting into the foam. Behind
the shore arose hills, green yet rugged
The pilot steered the good ship to strand
between two headlands and beached her
The shallow keel glided with grating
vet musical sound over the sands. Shout
ing and joyful the prince and his ethlings
sprang into the shallow waters and made
the shore. Then they shook out their
garments. looked to the condition of their
arms and armor and gave thanks to God
who had brought them safely thus far
upon their quest.
AS Beowulf anG his companions in arms
were busying themselves about the mar
shalling of their small force, about the
landing of such stores and such para
phernalia of war as they had brought
with them, came charging down to the
beach a mounted warrior, man of great
stature and of fierce aspect, fully armed
| fa5 q
hands he brandished huge lance and in
gruff terms demanded to know who the
strangers were and why they came upon
that coast.
Beowulf at once stepped forth from
among his companions and with frank
and noble bearing answered the gruff and
rude words of this warder of the coast
for such the mounted man was. He had
been watching, as was his duty, from
headland and had ridden down to ques-
ton the strangers, not thinking their
number sufficient for him to send out
general alarm. I'VE have come with ke-
message to your King said Beowulf,
land we come with friendly intent 1t
has become known, even in our land be-
yond the sea, that the Skylding are In
hard case because of the ravages of
mysterious fiend who has been vexing
them for years with nightly depredations.
Now we have come to teach Hrothgar
the remedy for his woes and the woes Of
his people-to tell him how the good times
may be brought back again. This / say
with truth and in all sincerity, seeking
only to serve your King and save your
people" The coast warder softened his
manner somewhat at Beowulfs speech
and replied that as the band came In
friendship, in friendship they would be
received. He had accosted them some
what roughly because it was his duty to
question sharply and to find out certainly
concerning strange visitors to the coast.
But the words of Beowulf had, he said,
carried conviction of the honesty of his
purpose Therefore," continued the war;
der keep your arms and march on.
myself will be your guide. Also Will
call my kinsman thames to keep guard
over your ship while you are away ;
that no stranger and hostile rover of the
sea may harm it in your presence.
AS soon as the warder had arranged for
the safety of the ship the band took up
the march under his guidance. He led
them several miles inland over a rough
country until at last he pointed with his
lance to the roof of the great hall of
Heorot shining in the sun with it's gild-
ing It was with the greatest interest