e and

very man

be accoun

e only

ond m

all the wo

vam

silent; the fields were empty; the woods around the camp slept in darkness and silence. Only the li

ied food to and fro with leisurely steps. From Helga's booth her voice arose in a weird battle-c

lled into a thunder of excitement. Alwin paused, in the act of l

r whom they will drive out of the water today." For tha

was a crackling of dead leaves, a rustling of bushes, and Sigurd appeared, dripping and breathless. Pantin

en!" Alwin cri

m starving besides! Toss me something, I beg of you." When Alwin had thrown him a chunk of crusty bread, he consented to go on and explain his defeat bet

He filled several bowls in silence, Sigurd watching over his bread with twinkling eyes. After a while Alwin went on cautiously: "This

much, foster-brother; do not forget the sternness of Leif's temper.' I enter into conversation with Rolf, and he returns, 'Yes, it is likely that Leif has got greater favor than ever with King Olaf. I cannot be altogether certain that he will shelter one who has broken Olaf's

the other. "Do you mean by that that you have a right to give him orders? I have heard that in the North a f

allow themselves to be trampled upon by fiery young men of higher rank, like old wolves nipped by young ones. King Olaf's heir dare not do so to Leif Ericsson. No; what I would have you understand is that I know what I am doing because I know Leif's temper as you know your

een his bare shoulders. Turning, he saw among the bushes a mischievou

ve me, Alwin. Ah, what a throw! It is not likely that you could hit a door. What bondmaids' aiming!

with hungry uproarious giants, who threw shoes at each other and shoved and quarrelled around the polished shield, before

One!" Helga sang from her booth; and

d sat at the table, facing the thicket. Every one turned to look, and beheld Leif's thrall-attendant gal

obody bu

mmonest type of colorless blond, and coarse and ignorant of fa

is news that is worth a hearing. Ho, f

?" echoed

, appearing in her doorw

rse and surged about him. And what had seemed Babel before

"Has word come that Eric is dead?"-"Has Leif quarrelled with King Olaf, that the King has banished him?"-"Greenland, grave-mo

thrall answered boldly. "It is the truth; I myself heard the talk.

e and passed to him. He emptied two with cool

s report to the King. Olaf was seated on the throne in his hall, feasting. Many famous chiefs sat alo

ong the listeners; he paused, and treated h

raised his drinking-horn and said, 'Hail to you, Leif Ericsson! Health and greeting! Victory always follows your sword.'

nt up to Valhalla. But mingling with its

ey quarrel?"-"Is it possible that there is treachery?"-

anished? Rein in your tongues. As much honor as is po

story!" was shouted so impatiently tha

hich were burning low. It was so still that you could hear the men snore and the branches scraping on the roof. Then the King said, while he still looked at the torch, 'Do you purpose sailing to Greenland in the summer?' It is likely that Leif felt some surprise, for he did not answer straightway; but he is wont to have fine words ready in his t

e burst another vol

ember Eric!"-"The Red One will slay him!"-"You forget Thorh

r voices so that I could not hear. Then at last Olaf leaned back in his high-seat and Leif stood up to go. Olaf stretched forth his hand and said, 'I know no man fitter for the work than you. Y

senger had finished. Then there broke o

the Cross!"-"Down with the hammer sign!"-"Down wi

d from hand to hand. A wave of mad enthusiasm swept over the group. Only Helga stood

n. He dropped the cloak he was waving and stared at her won

at the shield-maiden! It has come into he

matron of that name that Helga had fled from Greenland. That now she must go back to be civilized, and made like other maide

!"-"Embroider? Is it likely that she knows which end of the needle to put the thread through?"-"It will be like yoking a wild steer!"-"Taming a shi

joined them in making merry at her expense. But now she did not laugh. She rose

nd shut me up in one of their towers, and load me with fetters, and force me to toil day and night for them? You would take that ill enough. How much better is it that I am to be shut in a smothering women's-house and wound around with cloth till I trip when I walk, and made to waste the daylight, baking to

into her booth, and the d

eating nor speaking, Editha crouchin