The Thrall of Leif the Lucky: A Story of Viking Days

ck the helmsman had sought comfort in his ale horn; spread over the benches below, the two-score men of the crew were killing time with chess games; and the twenty-odd boys who completed the

limmering moth-like in the grayness. And the first two benches were covered with those wh

ng with a grin of appreciation a story of Viking horse-play. The laughter which applauded

prinkling them with tosses of his dripping red mane. "Rouse up, Al

without enthusiasm; and from the

lad once had the same belief in--" "Perhaps the water has blurred the Red-H

ow him to think," he cried, "that we twenty Greenlanders are afraid to fight him because he was bred in a Viking camp while we are farm-reared, I will

merging from its folds, it could be seen that besides his brownness he was distinguished among his companions for the soldierly erectness with which he bore h

le and kicked clear of ropes and garments a space in the center; and the loungers hitched themselves aro

this very forbearance nettled the farm-bred lad so that he broke the rhythm with an unexpected stroke. Passing Alrek's guard, it opened a red wound upon his brown breast. He accepted it with a grimace as good-humored as his fencing, but his opponent was unwise enough to let fly a cry of triumph. Alrek's expression changed. The next time the

nd the mast, had put down their pieces to listen. Now, the discord continuing, old Grimkel left his place and strolled forward to the forecastle s

he other's sword could not meet. To save himself from being spitted, the Greenlander was forced to leap backward. Leaping, his back came against the gunwale with a crash which told that further retreat would be impossible. From the watchers burst a cry, but no

that you are play

y tore himself free, and the fierceness with which he whirled, before

otten." Half angrily he turned back to the Greenlande

o swagger. "I am no coward," he proclaimed. But on the last word his voice broke so hysterically that Grimkel

se with your clothes. Get dressed, all of you. If you do not do as I tell you, you will feel it." When he had shaken his fist at them once or twice and finally se

me up again," the young Viking returned, still half angrily

minded you that your f

d Greenland, though I lived eight years in the camps without hearing it once! In

, "and so like your father are you in looks that every eye is watching to find his unruliness in you. Now what

straightened to meet the other's gaze and his eyes showed fire, while his voice was deep with resentment. "I am Karlsefne's brother's son, but I get less praise

the chiefs who came with him on this expedition chose him to be over-chief in Vinland. Yet neither can it be said that he hated his brother. While they were young their love was great

holds me in dishonor for being h

ience. "Simpleton! He holds you neither in honor nor d

; turning away he stood kicking at a pile of w

ou want. For my part, I believe that you will do him credit in every respect. It is because I believe this, and

id gravely, "I take it

ce descending the steps, but his advice-giver needed no more than one