is f

ould be

nd to hi

no

be th

foe's

vam

ft, he left his enemy's right arm free. Instantly this arm began forcing and

; the blade hissed into the air. Only an instant wrenching away, and a lightning leap aside, saved the thrall from being run through. His short bronze knife was no match for

h, Helga caught his sleeve; and Rolf

s will make the third of Leif's thralls that you h

ga. "Would you stain your honorable swor

ntempt in Helga's words was reflected in his fac

ght to do a thing so unworthy of me. I will leave Valb

ised their muddled heads to see what the trouble was, laid them down

e sprang after them, crying hoarsely: "Cowards! Churls! What know you of my blood? Give me a weapon and prov

hing of what had passed. The instant Alwin ceased, he stepped out and placed himself at the young thrall's side. He was no longer either the courteous Sigurd Silver-Tongue or Sigurd

you are? Or do you think that ill luck can change a jarl's son into a dog? He shall have a chance to prove his skill. I mysel

Alwin's hands, then turned authoritatively to the Wrestler:

oung noble and the young thrall. But before their steel had more than

ot disdain. I will meet you honorably, thrall. But you need not sue for me

lood. "This steel shall melt sooner than I ask for q

little valley. The spectators drew back out of the way

swish was like the venomous hiss of serpents. The color came and went in Helga's cheek; her mouth worked nervously. Sigurd's eyes were fixed upon the two like glowing lamps, as

all's lips set in a harder line; his blows became more furious, as if pain and despair gave him an added strength. Heaving his sword high in the a

ree watchers. Helga's han

y. "Fair play," he remind

rms across his breast and waited in scornful sil

panted. "Man to man

d slowly around the circle. Then, like angry bears, they grappled; each grasping th

matched, that from a little distance it looked as if they were braced motionless. Their heels ground deep into the soft sod. Their breath began

p was torture,-a spur to a fainting horse. The blood surged into Alwin's eyes; his

heaving breast. "If I had a swor

revents you from getting your sword? I shall not run away.

t and laid it against Egil's throat. Sigurd's brow darkened, but no one sp

im what it meant to take a human life,-to change a living breathing body like his own into a heap o

for what you have done for me,

fine face

ight that he should explain the ca

flamed into sudden fury. "That I will never do,

des regarded h

is my belief that you f

pots on Egil's cheeks showed that he heard them. He gave Alwin a lon

think it is no more than honorable, Eg

s of an equal. He noticed it; Egil also saw

freed herself, and Rolf and Sigurd had turned upon him, he realized that he had gone too far. Leaving them abruptly, h

to approach the Black One, Sigurd made a warning gesture. They waited in dead silence. While the voices of the oth

had spared my life, I let myself keep a wolf's mind toward him." His eyes suddenly blazed out at Alwin, but he controlled himself and went on. "The reason for my enmity I will not tell; wild steers should not tear it out of me. But,-" He stopped and drew a hard breath, and set his teeth afresh; "but I will forego that enmity. It

in's tongue. Sigurd w

half the condition is already fulfil

s courage or his skill; yet-I will not conceal it-even in payment for a co

ould be done honor by a look from me. Editha will tell you that my father wa

to look at her. For a while longer Rolf hesitated, looking long and strangely

ough you little know how much it means,

not give you thanks for a forced gift

hand was next extended. "However much I hate you

take me if ever I turn my back on your knife!"

er. "We cannot bind our friend-ship closer, but it is my advice that y

e her, rigid and speechless. Helga too blushed deeply; but there was nothing

complished. I can understand your anger. Were I a man, and a woman should do such a thing to me, it is likely that I should kill her on the spot. But it may be that, in time to come, the memo

away with Sigurd. He looked after her with a scowl,-because he saw Egil watching him. But it surprised him th