Johnston McCulley

“ Haakon the Lover had been a giant of a man, with long fair hair, a proper brother of Svend the Bloody so far as strength was concerned. Yet his great frame protected the heart of a woman. He had been kind alike to men at arms and thralls. He had been known to weep at the death of a close friend in battle. And a great love had softened him.
Edvard Haakonsson, these people of Svend's supposed, would be another such giant. Yet in his blood flowed the influence of the soft land to the south. Perchance his great frame, too, would hide the heart of a woman. ”

“ Sailors thrust it outward and lowered it, until its end rested on the land.
"What is this?" Svend roared. "Is there a man aboard who cannot jump into the water and swim or wade to land?"
"Perhaps there are captive women," said Magnus.
"Even so! Has the day come when a man cannot pack a captive woman on his back? This is a touch of that southern softness, by the hammer of Thor!"
Svend the Bloody started to make his way toward the landing, and Magnus stalked at his heels. Svend was in an ugly mood, though he endeavored not to show it. He cuffed thralls out of his way. ”

“ Now the ship was near to the land, and the oars were in. The craft drifted slowly toward the landing place. The thralls were up to their knees in tie water, to their thighs, their necks, waiting to help. On the deck of the craft were cheering mariners and men-at-arms. Frantic women called to their loved ones. Others lifted high above their heads babes that had been born since their fathers had sailed away.
The ship grounded, and the thralls pulled her broadside to the land. Over the side tumbled a score of men in armor, to wade through the surging waters and so claim the dry land. ”