The Beacon Fire.

who , as a last resource , plunged desperately into the roaring billows , endeavouring to regain his vessel , sank ere he reached it ; and thus it was that between the sea ancl the Saxons , the havoc was great amongst the Danes . 4 r 4 f ^ F ^ F : ) P * * The morning was breaking when the Saxons who had survived the conflict

of the night stood on the cliffs watching the retreating sails of the Danish ships . As the last vessel vanished over the horizon , the sun rose , grand and glorious , bathing the sea and sky in golden light , ancl glancing back from the arms of the assembled warriors . Ancl what a scene was that which greeted the sun that Christmas morning . Alas , was it meet that its first rays , bringing the message of " Peace and goodwill on earth" should be reflected from the

, blood-stained weapons of those fierce soldiers ? The storm was over , ancl the angry waves were now comparatively smooth , hut they still heaved with a long heavy swell , and seemed as though sighing over the traces of death and carnage which they endeavoured to obliterate , thus aiding the monks , who were already on the shore seeking for the wounded who might perchance have escaped drowning , and bearing to burial

the dead bodies that were washed up , so that , in reverence to the holy morning , as little as possible mig ht remain of the bloodshed and contest of the previous night . Rocking on the tide , ancl rising and falling with every billow as it swept towards the shore , were the shattered remains of several of the Danish galleys that had been wrecked during the storm . Denewulf , who had been for some moments watching the rising sun in

silence , suddenl y turned to those around him , and pointing to the watch-tower , he said , " Our country is saved once more from those pillaging Danes ; yonder beacon gave us timely warning last night , else had we been all dead men ere now ; 'twas young Leofwine ' s first night — he hath quitted him well . I marvel he hath not yet joined us to learn how we routed the Danes in the fight ; yet I see not his form on the battlement . " He raised his voice , and shouted in tones loud enough to be heard even on the lofty summit of the beacon ; but no answer was returned , ancl no figure appeared upon the tower .

" Perchance the youth sleepeth ; the vigil was long for one so young , " suggested an old Saxon . " Perchance the wind sleepeth when the tempest is raging , " retorted Denewulf , dismissing the idea contemptuously . " 'Tis strange , " he added in a lower tone , and with an ill-defined uneasiness at his heart he entered the tower , followed b y his men , they too filled with unaccountable misgivings . A startling sight greeted their eyes as they reached the summit . Stretched on the ground

, amid the smouldering ashes of the beacon-fire , lay the young Saxon who had guarded his trust so faithfull y . A little distance off was the corpse of the false Sweyn—cloi'en through the head by Leofwine ' s battle-axe . Denewulf sprang forward in amazement , knelt beside his son , and raised him in his

arms . " What hath happened ?—what treachery hath clone this , my son ? " he cried . At the sound of his father ' s voice , Leofwine opened his eyes and gazed around him . " I have kept my trust , " he murmured feebly . " Ay , I doubt not th y faith , but why this spectacle of horror ? " inquired the old warrior , in bewilderment .

The youth slowl y raised himself , and pointing with a triumphant smile to his fallen foe : — " Red Sweyn , " he said . Two of the soldiers had been examining the body of the prostrate man , and at that moment corroborated Leofwine ' s assertion in accents of astonishment and indignation . " And ' twas he who slew thee , the treacherous villain ! " muttered Denewulf , with a dark frown .