THE UNKNOWN; OR, THE NORTHERN GALLERY. A ROMANCE. IN FOUR VOLUMES. BY FRANCIS LATHOM, AUTHOR OF THE MYSTERIOUS FREEBOOTER, THE IMPENETRABLE PRINTED FOR A. K. NEWMAN AND CO. LEADENHALL-STREET. 1826. THE UNKNOWN. CHAP. I. "A RECORD OF THE PENANCE OF BERICK, THE VICIOUS FALCONER. "IN the year of our blessed Lord and Saviour, 870, the following extraordinary occurrence took place:-It so chanced, that in the midst of a violent storm, which blew upon the eastern coast of England, in the middle of the month of March, a little bark, containing only one soul, was stranded upon the shore of Norfolk his situation being observed by some fishermen at a short distance from the spot, they went out to his rescue, and succeeded in preserving his life. Upon inquiry of the stranger who he was, they learnt that his name was Lothbrok; that he was a Dane, and allied to the royal blood of Denmark; that he had entered VOL. IV. B |