t a man be

d a guest

onduct he

mory and r

vam

lly stored in the booths at the camp. With the eagerness of lovers, her crew rushed down to summon her from her loneliness and once more hang her finery about her. All day long their brushes lapped her sides caressingly,

ank of the river. The young Viking had spent the day riding around the country with Tyrker, get

they dodged the loaded thralls running up and down the gangways. "He will like

but at the prospect in general. "The more I think of going to G

ed water-bugs. Along the shore a chain of ships stretched as far as eye could reach,-graceful war cruisers, heavily-laden provision ships, substantial trading vessels. On the flat beach and along the wooded banks rose great storeho

e something more than pira

s something more than free,"

southerners do who have not seen your country. I tell you truly that,

nder is Valbrand just come ashore,-at the fore-gangway. Go and do your errand with him, and then we wi

and the rest took it for a devil in his own proper person,-so there was great shrieking and scattering, whichever way it turned its ugly face. It happened that Sigurd was better informed, having seen a similar specimen kept a

every ship brought back from its voyage some beast or bird or fish so outlandish that it w

me the pleasant odors of frying fish and roasting pork, with now and then a

that Leif is

u think it advisable f

ig mead-vat. On the near side, ringed around by stalwart forms, showing black against the fire-glow, the chief sat at his ease. The flickering light revealed his bronzed eagle face and the richness of his gold-embroidered cloak. At

ir that sat so well upon his handsome figure. "Health and greeting, foster-father!

an began a nervous plucking at his beard. The heads that

om his seat. Silver-Tongued and sunny-hearted, the Jarl's son was well-beloved. There was a lon

father more than anyone else, kinsman or not; yet I cannot offer

posure: "That was to be expected of Leif Ericsson. I would no

be afraid in battle. Now it had been seen by everybody that I wished to go. I had spent the winter in Normandy, yet I returned by the first ship, that I might make one of my father's crew. It was not my doing that my ship got lost in the fog and did not fetch me here until after the Jarl had sailed. It angered me that such slander should be spoken of me. Yet, remembering that men are peace-holy on the Assembly Plain, I did manage to turn it aside. A third time he threw himself in my way, and began speaking evil of a friend of mine, a man with whom I have sworn blood-brotherhood. I forgot where we stood, and what was the law, and I drew my sword and leaped upon him; and it is likely th

pected, because I feared to lose King Olaf's favor. You have done well to trust my friendship, foster-son." He stretched out his hand, a rare gleam of pleasure lighting his deep-set eyes. "You have behaved well to your friend, Sigurd Haraldss

f shone at the comers of his handsome mouth; after the fashion of the

t went up from the group. Leif himself gav

that this is not the most useful accomplishment you have brought from France. Now go and try y

the embers; the heat toasting her delicate face rose-red, the light touching her hair into a wonderful gold

o picturesque a figure, with his shorn head and his white slaves'-dress; but he stood straight and su

estions. "What

Alwin, Edmund

is likely that you

r own men can bea

eaks the truth. One would think that he had dru

count for naught; none here but have them. You must accomplish something that I think of more importance, or I shall

d his rebellious self toiling at the desk; and he marvelled that

ed in my boyhood; but last summer, on the dairy far

, and shot a glance at the unconscious Helga; and the old

li the trader, whom men call the Wealthy.

s yellow mustache. Tyrker bent over and whispered in his

e thought of him,-yet, it is cer

le fell back out of hearing. He turned and fixed his pier

me what manner of

li of Trondhjem is a low-minded man who has gained great wealth, and is so greedy for property that he

lenged him, but

he added: "I am told for certain tha

ented. "She is from England, where wome

d German. "Donnerwetter! That is true! An English capt

answered that he knew her to understand them, ha

it for the shield-maiden! You see, my son? This youth here can make runes,-sh

lbrand, take your horse and lay saddle on it. You of England, get bark an

darkness, Rolf sought out the scribe and gently gave him to understand that he was curious in the matter.

y and spent, and was closeted for a long time with Leif an