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diff --git a/old/67528-0.txt b/old/67528-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7b51fcd..0000000 --- a/old/67528-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6150 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Cross and the Hammer, by Henry -Bedford-Jones - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Cross and the Hammer - A Tale of the Days of the Vikings - -Author: Henry Bedford-Jones - -Release Date: February 28, 2022 [eBook #67528] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CROSS AND THE -HAMMER *** - - - - - - - - THE CROSS AND - THE HAMMER - - _A Tale of the Days of the Vikings_ - - - _By H. BEDFORD-JONES_ - - - - PUBLISHED BY - DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING Co. - ELGIN, ILLINOIS - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1912. - BY DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING Co., - ELGIN, ILLINOIS. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - I. How the Vow Was Made - II. The Shooting Match - III. Jarl Hakon of Norway - IV. The Rescue in the Bay - V. The Escape from Thrandheim - VI. Hiorunga Bay - VII. How Vagn Kept His Vow - VIII. "Skoal to King Olaf!" - IX. How Astrid Fared Forth - X. Farewell to Dublin - XI. At Ethelred's Court - XII. The Flight From London - XIII. Alfred of Mercia - XIV. In Bretland - XV. In Winter Quarters - XVI. An Ambuscade - XVII. Ketil Turns Up - XVIII. A Mission for the King - XIX. At King Svein's Court - XX. The King and the Towel - XXI. The Death of Hakon - XXII. The Sacrifice To Thor - XXIII. How the Chiefs Were Baptized - XXIV. Olaf's Atonement - XXV. The Wrestling Match - XXVI. The Cross and the Hammer - - - - -FOREWORD. - -This is a story about the very real people and events; if ever you -chance to read the old Sagas of Norway you will come upon most of the -characters of this tale. The viking age was not Christian, it was -full of the clash of arms and of unknightly deeds, yet its story is -vitally interesting. - -The Hammer of Thor, the War-god of northern Europe, did not yield to -the Cross of Christ without a struggle, and the story of Norway's -conversion is intensely dramatic. King Hakon the Good, a foster-son -of the English King Athelstan, was forced to recant his faith in -order to hold his throne; King Olaf Triggveson lost his kingdom, or -rather gave it up, at Svolde Sound, because he refused to do the -like; and King Olaf the Thick, who followed him, fell beneath the -heathen weapons of his subjects, becoming the patron saint of Norway. - -It was the first King Olaf who broke the power of the old gods and -who introduced Christianity into his realm. Short as was his reign, -he was the greatest king Norway ever had. He built the first church -in the land, and sent the first missionaries to Iceland; during his -reign Thangbrand, the priest, won that island to the true faith. - -Many of the incidents narrated are taken direct from the Sagas, and -although King Olaf is said to have died at Svolde, the story of his -escape is well authenticated; I give his own words in refusing to win -back his kingdom. He went to Rome and the Holy Land and held rule -there under the Crusader Kings of Jerusalem, dying fifty years later. -King Edward the Confessor used to have the story of his life chanted -to his court once every year, upon his death being reported in -England during that king's reign. - -H. BEDFORD-JONES. - - - - -NOTES. - -"_bonders._"--This word is used in the Sagas to represent the free -farmers of Norway, who held their lands from the king, or owned them; -they were subject only to the orders of the king or his Jarls, and -are equivalent to our own "farmers," except that they had special -rights and privileges. - -"_scat._"--A fine or any other penalty which might be imposed on an -offender by an assembly of the people. The scat was usually a fine -of money, lands, or goods. - -"_skoal._"--This plain word corresponds to our own "Hurrah!" It -means both long life, good health, and joy, and is still used in -Norway in that sense. - -I have avoided the use of many words which are usually retained in -the translations of the old Sagas. Nearly all the facts about which -the story of Sigurd Fairhair is woven are historical, and are taken -from the Heimskringla, and the Saga of King Olaf by the Abbot Berg -Sokkason. Both histories were compiled from the accounts of -eye-witnesses of the events contained therein, to a great extent, and -especially was this true with the life of Olaf Triggveson.--_The -Author_. - - - - -The Cross and the Hammer - -_A Tale of the Days of the Vikings_ - -_By H. BEDFORD-JONES_ - - - -CHAPTER I. - -HOW THE VOW WAS MADE. - -The great hall of the Danish kings at Leira was filled to overflowing -on this autumn evening of the year 994, for King Harald Gormson had -fallen in battle some weeks before, and his son Svein Twyskiegge, of -Forkbeard, was celebrating his accession feast in the hall of his -fathers. - -Around the town lay a whole city of tents and brush huts, for besides -the Danish lords present, sixty ships had come from Jomsborg, bearing -the noblest of the famous Viking brotherhood, under their chiefs Jarl -Sigvald and Bui the Thick. Visitors and Danes were clad in their -bravest array, and both town and camp presented a scene of the gayest -festivity. - -Within, the hall was hung with ancient arms and trophies of the -chase, the floor was strewn with a thick layer of fresh rushes, and -the long tables were heaped high with dishes. At one end of the hall -sat King Svein, with his chiefs and the Jomsborg nobles, while above -them towered the high-seat or throne of the king; along the hall were -ranged the vikings and men of Denmark, with Queen Gunhild and her -ladies sitting at the far end. - -Servants flitted in and out, bearing food and horns of ale, while in -the center of the hall, between the tables and before the seat of the -king, sat two skalds, singing to the music of their harps the great -deeds of King Harald and of his son, the new king. Presently, as the -hunger of the throng was somewhat appeased, all began to wonder what -vow the king would make, for it was the custom that at the heirship -feast the new king should make a vow to do some great and noble deed. - -Seated near Queen Gunhild as guests of honor were two boys, one fair -and ruddy-cheeked, the other darker and with very quick, bold eyes. -The latter, Vagn Akison, was a nephew of Bui, the Jomsborg chief, and -grandson of Palnatoki, the founder of the viking brotherhood; -although he was only seventeen, he and his cousin Sigurd were already -well known for the prowess. - -Sigurd Fairhair, who was a year younger than Vagn, was in high -spirits to-night, for a little before King Svein had given him a very -fine sword, and he was proud of it. - -Glancing over at him with a smile, Queen Gunhild said, "Sigurd, have -you shown Astrid your new sword?" - -"Of course he has," replied Astrid, her niece, who sat beside Sigurd, -and her dark eyes gleamed with fun. "He is going to try its edge on -the big pine tree near the harbor to-morrow!" - -At this sally a laugh went up, and Vagn cried, "Be careful not to -bring down the tree into the harbor, Sigurd! It would be a pity to -sink all our best ships!" - -Sigurd reddened, and retorted, "Well, I never aroused the whole camp -just because a pig was wandering around in the bushes!" - -This turned the laugh on his cousin, who had wakened the camp the -night before, mistaking a pig for a spy, and even the Queen joined -heartily in the merriment. - -Suddenly a silence fell on the tables, for King Svein had arisen and -was holding in both hands a great silver bowl. Amid a dead hush he -drained it, handed it to an attendant, and stepped to the high-seat. -Grasping an arm of this, the king turned. - -"Here, as I ascend the throne of my father Harald, I vow that with -the help of God I will lead my fleet to the land of England, and ere -three winters have passed I will chase King Ethelred from the land -and sit in his throne!" - -[Illustration: "_I will lead my fleet to the land of England._"] - -As King Svein took his seat a low murmur of astonishment ran around -the hall, followed by a tremendous shout of "Skoal! Skoal!" for this -was a great vow to be fulfilled. - -"See how pale the Queen is," whispered Astrid to Sigurd. "The vow -must have surprised her also." - -Indeed, Queen Gunhild had turned white, for the King's vow meant that -a great war would be undertaken, and how it would end no man could -tell. Before Sigurd could reply, Jarl Sigvald arose and called for -silence. - -"Men of Denmark and Jomsborg," he said slowly, in his deep voice, the -light glinting on his dark, strong face and black eyes, "I also would -make a vow, and no light one. As you all know, Jarl Hakon, a heathen -man and doubly a traitor, rules Norway while the rightful king, -Tryggvee's son, is a wanderer or mayhap dead. This then is my vow: -that I go to Norway ere three winters pass, take the rule from the -hands of Jarl Hakon, and drive him from the land." - -Sigvald sat down, amid a dead hush of amazement; but it was broken by -a shout from young Vagn Akison. - -"Skoal, Jarl Sigvald, skoal!" - -Then what a cheer went up! Ere it subsided, Sigvald's brother, -Thorkel the Tall, leaped to his feet and swore to follow the Jarl; -Bui the Thick joined him, and amid fresh cheers, Vagn, from the other -end of the hall, cried: - -"I, too! And ere I return I will slay Thorkel Leira, the villain who -betrayed my father to his death!" - -"Skoal!" shouted Sigurd, excitedly, "I'm with you, Vagn!" - -As the tumult subsided, the Queen looked at Vagn and Sigurd sadly. -"You are rash boys, you two! Do you realize what blood and tears -these oaths will cost?" - -Sigurd answered her respectfully. "Noble Gunhild, that may well be; -yet Jarl Hakon is an evil man and a pagan, as is Thorkel. At any -rate, I won't have to try my new sword on the tree, now!" His keen -gray eyes twinkled. - -The Queen made no reply, however, and sat watching King Svein; but -Astrid whispered: - -"I think that was splendid! I wish I could go, too!" - -Vagn laughed. "You'd be a fine one! Why, the first war-horn would -send you down below trembling!" - -"It wouldn't either!" retorted the girl indignantly. "I can shoot -better than you or Sigurd, either of you!" - -"Good! I challenge you to a match to-morrow," cried Sigurd. "We'll -go over to the shore beyond the harbor, where no one will interrupt, -and if you best either of us I'll give you my trained falcon from -France!" - -"Then look out," laughed Astrid, "because I'm going to win the bird -to-morrow morning!" - -With this she arose and followed the Queen, who was leaving. The two -boys, not wishing to join in the carouse that most of the vikings -would keep up for the better part of the night, also left the hall -and proceeded to their own tent. - -"What think you of these vows, Sigurd?" asked Vagn, as they went -along. - -"Well, now that we have cooled down, it looks rather different," -replied Sigurd, thoughtfully. "It is one thing for King Svein to -conquer England, with the resources of a realm at his command, and -another for Sigvald to conquer Norway with only the brother of -Jomsborg behind him." - -"But remember, Fairhair, we are Christians, while Hakon is a pagan -and a traitor; that will make some difference, surely! My own vow -was no hasty thing; I must avenge my father's death or else be -disgraced forever." - -Sigurd nodded thoughtfully, for he well knew that the fierce vikings -would yield small obedience to a man who appeared unable to avenge -the betrayal of his father. As they turned in at their tent, a man -ran up, and Vagn recognized one of Bui's men in the moonlight. - -"Hello, Egil, what is it?" - -"You and Sigurd are wanted at council in Jarl Sigvald's big tent," -panted the man. - -Without delay, the boys followed him to the large tent of the Jarl. -Here they found all the Jomsborg leaders assembled, and took their -places beside Bui of Bornholm, who was speaking as they entered. - -"It was a rash vow, Sigvald, but we cannot back out, and it may well -be that we shall win great honor in the effort, win or lose. Our -vikings are the best warriors in the world to-day, and we will at -least give a hard battle to Hakon and his son Eirik." - -A murmur of assent ran around the tent, and Sigvald arose. - -"Brothers, I was over-hasty in the vow, but it cannot be helped. -This is my counsel; that since the attempt must be made, we make it -without delay, send for the rest of our men, and strike at Norway's -capital without delay. What think you?" - -Vagn stepped forward. "I will answer for my father's ships and men. -Let us strike before Hakon can meet us; we have the pick of our men -here, with most of our ships. We can leave here at the end of the -week, wait at Limafiord for the rest of our men, then sweep up to -Thrandheim." - -"Good for you, Vagn!" cried his uncle. "Men say that I am somewhat -stout, but my friends never complain of my weight in battle!" -Everyone laughed, for although Bui deserved his nickname, he was one -of the greatest warriors of the day. "I'll let Sigurd here go with -you, if you want him," he continued, and the boy's heart leaped with -joy, for this was indeed just what he did want. - -Jarl Sigvald smiled. "Then is it agreed that we go from here to -Limafiord on the fourth day?" - -"Yes!" The answer was accompanied by a clash of weapons, as the -chiefs struck sword and spear on shield, and the council was over, -although most of the leaders remained to talk over details and -despatch a messenger to Jomsborg at once. - -The boys returned to their tent, however, and as they dropped off to -sleep the shouts of "Skoal! Skoal!" drifted faintly to them from the -town, and they knew that the vikings and the Danes were still making -vows, some of which they would bitterly repent in the morning. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE SHOOTING-MATCH. - -Early next morning the boys were afoot, and after a hasty breakfast -beside a camp fire they took their bows and quivers and started for -town. - -Astrid lived with Queen Gunhild at the Kings' Hall, and thither they -directed their steps. Early as it was, the place was thronged with -servants, who were laying fresh rushes in the hall and putting the -place in order for the day. Seeing a house-carl pass, with his -clipped hair and golden collar, Sigurd called him and sent him to ask -if the Lady Astrid was ready. - -Five minutes later Astrid herself appeared, bearing bow and quiver, -and joined them with a cheery, "Good-morning, my vikings! Has your -rash resolution cooled off yet?" - -"Small chance of that," replied Vagn, his half-grave, half-humorous -eyes lighting up in a quick smile. - -"My falcon is ready to change owners," added Sigurd, "but then there -is no chance for that to-day, of course." - -"Oh, indeed!" Astrid's dark eyes flashed gayly. "That remains to be -seen, my lord of Jomsborg and Bornholm!" - -Talking and laughing, they started off, leaving the town behind and -cutting across the fields to the harbor. There, as they came to the -brow of the hill, they paused. Far below lay the great fleet, the -sixty Jomsborg ships and those of the assembled Danish lords, their -shield-rims glittering in the morning sun, their dragon-prows and -high carved sterns gilded or painted in bright array. - -Astrid caught her breath in admiration. "Oh, how wonderful it is to -be a viking! I wish I were a boy!" - -The other two laughed. "It is not so very wonderful," smiled Sigurd. -"I think it is hard work. Every morning the drilling and practice in -arms, the weapons to be rubbed up--and the rowing! Whew, my back -hurts even to think of those low, heavy oars!" - -"There's our ship, with the gilded prow," pointed Vagn, to a large -long-ship apart from the rest. "Sigurd talks a lot about work, but -he is equal to any man in the fleet with sword and shield, save his -father, or the Jarl--" - -"Or yourself," broke in his cousin quickly. "However, let's get on; -I'm anxious to decide the fate of my falcon." - -They left the road, and after walking two or three miles, came out on -a lonely stretch of shore, wild and rocky. Vagn had brought an old -wooden shield with him, and he set this up as target on a large rock -a hundred feet distant. - -"Do you shoot first," ordered Astrid. "I'll go next, then Vagn." - -Sigurd nodded, and selected an arrow. Stringing his bow, he laid the -shaft and pulled the string to his ear. Twang! The arrow was buried -deep in the shield, just above the center boss of iron. - -"Good enough!" cried Vagn, running forward, but Astrid only smiled -and raised her bow. The string twanged, and an answering echo came -back as the arrow glanced off and the shield fell backward. - -"Hurrah!" cried Vagn, picking it up. "Full on the iron boss! But -you can't do it again!" - -Sigurd ran forward to see also, and as they examined the shield, a -sudden cry startled them. Turning, they saw Astrid struggling with -three men, while more appeared coming from behind a corner of the -cliff. - -"Norsemen and spies!" exclaimed Sigurd, and without an instant's -hesitation he picked up Astrid's arrow and ran forward, fitting it to -his bow. - -"Your sword!" called Vagn, tearing the peace-bands from his own -weapon as he ran. A shout answered him, and the Norseman ran forward -to meet Sigurd. A spear whizzed by his head, and he loosed the bow. - -The foremast viking fell with a clash, and as the others paused -Sigurd tore the peace-bands from his sword. Next instant he was -surrounded, struggling, striking, and he realized that more and more -men had appeared from behind the cliff. - -Now a blade gleamed beside him, and Vagn's voice sounded in his ear. -One man was down--two; but others filled their places, and a heavy -axe was poised over Sigurd. As it fell the boy darted in beneath the -blow, and his sword fell on the viking's shoulder; but at that -instant something crashed on his light steel cap, and he knew no more. - -Sigurd awoke with a dull pain in his head, to find his arms tightly -bound and the midday sun beating down on him. Raising his head, -Fairhair saw that he lay on the forecastle of a small ship, with Vagn -beside him, wounded in the shoulder and unconscious. - -He saw nothing of Astrid, and a burning thirst consumed him; with a -great effort he rose to a sitting position and looked around. They -were out at sea, and the land lay far behind them; in the stern and -waist of the ship were fifteen or twenty Norsemen. - -"That was a stiff crack I gave you, lad, but the steel cap saved your -skull," sounded a voice, and Sigurd twisted around. Behind him stood -a dark man with an unpleasant face and straw-colored hair; evidently -he was the leader, for he had just come out of the cabin. - -Sigurd tried to speak, but his tongue was dry, and the man laughed. -"Here, Thord," he called, "bring a horn of water." - -One of the men in the waist took a horn and filled it from the cask -beside the mast, handing it up to the leader, who put it to the boy's -lips. Sigurd drank greedily, and then the other threw a few drops -over Vagn, who opened his eyes. - -He struggled to rise, with a sharp cry. - -"Thorkel Leira! I--" The effort was too much for him, and he fell -back again. Their captor smiled sneeringly. - -"He is in a bad way to fulfill his vow, eh?" This was the man whom -Vagn had sworn to kill, the betrayer of his father! As he realized -this, Sigurd's head cleared. - -"Why have you attacked us? Who are you?" he asked indignantly. - -Thorkel laughed again. "Vagn, there, seemed to know my face! You -two and the girl, whom I take to be Gunhild's niece, will make a nice -gift to Jarl Hakon! Great boasts, great boasts!" - -Sigurd flushed. As he looked at the viking, his heart gave a sudden -leap, for, framed in the cabin doorway behind, he saw the face of -Astrid, her finger on her lips. Making no sign, he answered the -leader calmly. - -"In that case, leave us alone till we get to Thrandheim." As he said -this, Sigurd lay down again, turning his back on Thorkel. The latter -sneered, and stepped to the edge of the forecastle, above the ship's -waist. Sigurd opened his eyes, and saw Astrid making signs, and -holding in her hand his sword. - -Sigurd comprehended the plan instantly. He silently drew his feet up -and gathered his muscles; Thorkel was giving orders, a few paces -away, and paid no heed to him. The boy slowly rose to one knee; he -saw Astrid run toward him, and at the same instant he threw himself -headfirst at Thorkel, striking him fairly in the waist. - -The viking fell forward with a cry, and lay motionless on the deck -beneath. Sigurd would have followed him over the low rail, but for a -hand that gripped his bound arms and stayed him; then he felt the -bonds cut and a sword pushed into his hand. - -"Hold the ladder," panted the girl, "while I arouse Vagn." - -Sigurd sprang to the top of the narrow ladder that led up from the -deck below just as the surprised men seized their weapons. An arrow -tore through his hair; another followed, but Sigurd parried it with -his blade, and another after it. This was an old viking exercise, -and the boy felt no fear; but with a cry of dismay Astrid ran to the -cabin, quickly returning with a shield. - -"Here, this will help you!" Sigurd grasped it just in time to ward -off a spear, and now the first man was on the ladder. He held a -shield above his head, but Sigurd swung his sword and brought it down -with all his might. The keen weapon sheared through the tough bull's -hide, and the man fell back among his comrades. - -Thord, who had brought the water, now made a dash, coming up the -ladder three steps at a time, and wielding an axe. As he reached the -top Sigurd drove his sword, but too late; the axe descended on his -shield and bore him to his knees. Again the weapon whirled above -him, and Thord staggered backward with a hoarse cry, clearing the -ladder in his fall. - -Springing up, Sigurd saw Astrid behind him, bow in hand, and Vagn, -pale but determined, stepped to his side. Those below drew back, and -the boys saw them reviving Thorkel, who was stunned by his fall. -Sigurd leaned on his sword. - -"Look here, Vagn, we can't keep this up all day; one or two good -showers of arrows will finish us." - -Vagn pointed to the cabin. "We can hold that against them all, and -Astrid says that food and water are inside." - -Sigurd laughed. "You look like a Valkyrie, Astrid! I owe you thanks -for my life, too--but what is Thorkel up to?" - -"Back--back to the cabin!" cried Astrid. "They are climbing around -the bow to take us from behind!" - -A glance showed them half a dozen men climbing through the bow under -the dragon's head up to the forecastle. It was useless to try to -hold the whole fore-deck, so the two boys and Astrid ran to the -cabin, shut the heavy door, and bolted it securely. There was no -window, and only one or two high loop-holes gave fresh air to those -within. - -"What chance have we of rescue?" asked Astrid, sitting down on a pile -of furs. - -"Little enough," replied Vagn, moodily, while Sigurd threw himself -down beside her. "No one knows where we went, and we won't be missed -till noon. It must be about three hours past that now." - -The Norsemen, realizing the futility of trying to break in, made no -sign; and the afternoon slowly wore away. The ship was bearing north -under full sail, and all three captives realized that it was only a -matter of time before they would have to give up. - -Evidently the Norsemen had been spying on the Danes. Vagn had been -struck down by a glancing blow, and all three had been taken to the -ship, which left the land at once. Astrid had been left unbound, and -had taken advantage of the opportunity as soon as Sigurd became -conscious. - -Toward evening a rap sounded on the door, and the voice of Thorkel -called to them: - -"Vagn Akison! Can you hear me?" - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -JARL HAKON OF NORWAY. - -"Well enough," replied Vagn, "what is it?" - -"I suppose you see that you cannot hold out for ever; but it would be -needless trouble for my men to batter in the door. To-morrow we will -meet Jarl Hakon, and if you give yourselves up in peace I will not -bind you." - -"What shall we do?" whispered Vagn. "It is true that we cannot hold -out here." - -"Do!" exclaimed Astrid. "Would you trust your father's betrayer? -Wait till we meet Hakon, that will be time enough to give up!" - -Vagn raised his voice. "We wish nought to do with traitors, Thorkel. -Let Jarl Hakon speak with us; till then we will bide." - -Thorkel made no answer, and they heard him move away. The three -captives ate some of the food, drank a little stale water, and with -nightfall the boys took watch and watch, leaving the single couch to -Astrid. - -Toward morning, however, the latter awoke and insisted on doing her -share of the watching; so Sigurd, dead tired, yielded up his watch -and dropped off to sleep. The boys were now suffering from their -wounds, but they had refused to let Astrid bind them up, as this was -strictly against the laws of the Jomsvikings. - -These fierce men were trained with the greatest strictness, indeed, -and death was the penalty for the slightest infraction of their laws. -Wounds might not be bound up, and no pain might be complained of; for -suffering was only part of the long training that made the Jomsborg -brotherhood the most terrible fighters in the world. - -Both boys were wakened by a jar that shook the ship, and they found -the sun well up. "What was that shock?" they cried, in alarm. - -"Another ship," replied Astrid. "I can see nothing, but I heard the -sound of oars and voices." - -Springing to the loopholes, they found that they could see nothing; -but the sound of excited talking came to them, and in a few moments -steps advanced quickly to the door. - -"Ho, Vagn Akison! Astrid of Vendland! Open!" - -Astrid seized Vagn's arm. "It is Jarl Hakon! I know his voice well!" - -Without hesitation, Sigurd, sheathing his sword, threw open the door. -There in the sunlight stood a man of lofty stature, magnificently -armed and with beard and hair as sunny as that of Sigurd; but his -face was gloomy, and his eyes quick and shifty. - -"Do you yield to me?" he asked quietly. - -Astrid laughed. "So you war against girls, Jarl? Well, I suppose I -must surrender!" - -The Jarl smiled, and laid his hand on her hair. "Keep the bow, -child; you have done nobly and well. Come to my own ship." - -As they followed him down the ladder and over the side, Sigurd saw -that Hakon's hair was streaked with gray, and that he walked stiffly -as from old wounds. Beside Thorkel's ship lay another, a splendid -warship, and as they climbed over the bulwarks the two ships were -cast apart. Hakon led the way to his cabin, and said, kindly: - -"Sit you down and fear not. Thorkel has told me the tale of the -vows, especially that of yours, Vagn Akison. By the hammer of Thor, -your comrades will have tough work if they think to take Norway from -me!" He smiled grimly. - -"Jarl," exclaimed Astrid, "was it by your orders that we have been -attacked? Remember that Svein is my uncle!" - -Hakon nodded. "I am sorry, indeed, that you were taken; you will be -returned unharmed later, with whatever scat Svein thinks just. But -who are you, Fairhair?" - -Sigurd laughed. "That is truly what men call me, Jarl; my name is -Sigurd Buisson." - -Hakon whistled in surprise. "So! Then I have two good hostages! -All the better; I will take you up to Thrandheim with me, but have no -fear, for you will be well treated--at least for the present." - -With this Hakon left the cabin, giving it up to them, and the voyage -began. The boys were indeed treated well, their weapons were left -them, and had it not been for the surrounding circumstances they -would have enjoyed themselves immensely. - -That night they made the southern end of Norway, for the ship was -pushed on with all speed, both of sail and oars. Jarl Hakon was -racing for his kingdom now, and no effort was spared to reach -Thrandheim, Norway's capital, as soon as might be. - -Next morning they landed at Howes, and Hakon sent speedy messengers -north over the mountains to his son Jarl Eirik, who was in Raumarike; -and splitting up war arrows, dispatched them to all the chiefs near -by as a token to gather men at once. Then, with fresh rowers, the -ship hastened on as never ship had hastened before, for the realm of -Norway was at stake. - -The following evening they stopped at Raumsdale to send out the -war-arrow and get new rowers; but they pushed on quickly, and on the -third day sped up the Thrandheim Firth and reached the city just -after sunset. - -An immense crowd greeted them, for the news had sped fast, and they -landed amid a great shouting and clash of arms. Jarl Hakon kept the -boys with him, and sent Astrid to the King's Hall, where she would be -given waiting-women and cared for as became her rank. Then, without -going thither himself, he turned aside, followed by all the -multitude, and proceeded to the great temple of Thor, the War-god. - -Jarl Hakon was a pagan, believing firmly in the old gods of Norway, -as indeed most of his subjects did. The Thrandheim temple was the -greatest in the land, and Jarl Hakon, as ruler of the country, was -the high-priest. - -As they passed beneath the great stone doorway Sigurd Fairhair -shivered, and Vagn whispered to him, "Firm, Sigurd, hold firm!" - -Sigurd pressed his hand in reply. As they saw whither they were -going, the boys had resolved not to take part in the worship of the -heathen gods, for both were Christians. The temple was high and -gloomy, and the torches lit it very poorly; but around the sides they -could see statues of Odin the one-eyed, Freya the beautiful, and the -other gods. At the end, opposite the doorway, stood a high altar -before the golden statue of Thor, and Hakon slowly ascended the steps. - -As he did so, the vikings, bonders, and townfolk fell on their knees, -and beyond the altar Sigurd noticed the priests bringing in a white -bull for sacrifice. Looking around, he saw that he and Vagn were the -only ones standing; others saw it, too, and an angry mutter ran -through the vast building, like the low gathering of a storm. - -The two boys paled, but stood firm and erect, as Jarl Hakon uttered a -short prayer to the war god. When his voice ceased, the mutter -behind him swelled into a roar, with fierce shouts of "Kneel!" -"Kneel!" "Death to the Christians!" - -Hakon turned and raised his hand, the roar dying away at once. When -he saw the cause of the tumult his face darkened. - -"To your knees, to your knees! Would you insult Thor in his own -temple?" - -"We kneel to none save the white Christ," spoke out Sigurd boldly, -though his heart beat fast. - -Hakon's hand flew to his sword, and the crowd surged forward; then -the Jarl's hand dropped, and he motioned to one of his men. - -"Harald, take these two to the King's Hall and see that no harm comes -to them, on your life. Go!" - -Without a word the boys followed the man as he led the way out, their -heads high and their hands on their swords. The Norsemen made way -for them with muttered threats, but gaining the open air, their guide -led them through the dark streets, and in a few minutes stopped at -the Hall. - -They were led to a room, and the door was bolted. At the rasp of the -bolt Vagn broke silence. - -"Whew! That was a close shave for us, old man! I was scared stiff -when you answered Hakon!" - -"So was I," admitted Sigurd, smiling. "But we are too valuable as -hostages, so it didn't take much bravery. See here, are we going to -stay with Hakon?" - -"Not if we can help it," laughed Vagn. "I suppose we'll be watched -closely, though, and then we must look out for Astrid." - -Sigurd nodded. "Well, we'll see her in the morning. She is not in -danger for the present, anyway." - -Sigurd was mistaken, however, for they did not see Astrid for a week. -They were closely confined to their room, and only on the sixth day -following were they allowed to leave it. Their warder was the same -who had led them from the temple the first night. As he came in on -the sixth morning, he left the door open, and said: - -"You are free of the town, but do not leave it. Jarl Hakon has gone, -so you had best be watchful, as I am responsible for you." - -"Where has Hakon gone? Is the Lady Astrid here?" asked Vagn. - -"I know nothing of any Lady Astrid, but Jarl Hakon has gone south to -More to raise men, and will return to meet Jarl Eirik, mayhap." - -The two boys did not wait to learn more, but hastened out to the -great hall, and there they found a woman who directed them to -Astrid's room. Making their way thither, Astrid came to the door -with a cry of joy. - -"Oh, I thought you were dead! I saw Jarl Hakon once, but he was -terribly busy and would tell me nothing. Where have you been?" - -Vagn outlined their adventure at the temple, and told of their -subsequent imprisonment in a few words. - -"I never would have dared do that!" exclaimed Astrid as he finished. -"To brave all those men that way! But come over here to this window -and speak low; there are women in the next room." - -Making sure that the door was fast, Sigurd and Vagn joined her at the -window. - -"Last night I heard two men talking out in the hall, and I listened. -Jarl Eirik has gathered a great force of men from Raumadale and -Halogaland and Thrandheim, and is fitting out an immense fleet in the -greatest haste. Hakon is raising men in North and South More. Two -nights ago, just before Hakon left, a messenger came from Eirik. - -"Here is their plan. When Hakon has raised all the men he can, he -will come north to meet Eirik, who is making his way south. They -expect to have at least 150 longships when they combine forces, and -intend to wait for your fleet in Hiorunga Bay and take them in a -trap." - -"A trap!" cried Sigurd. "With that great force?" - -"Yes, because they are afraid of the men of Jomsborg, even with the -numbers three to one. The peasants are to tell Jarl Sigvald that -Hakon is in Hiorunga Bay with only one or two ships, and Sigvald and -Bui will hurry in to capture him, thus falling among the whole fleet. -Do you see?" - -Sigurd's eyes flashed. "So Hakon is a traitor still! This is -terrible, Vagn; in a trap like that no one will escape!" - -"I am afraid not, Fairhair," Vagn shook his head sadly. "Sigvald -will fall into it, for he is impetuous and hasty, as is your father -also. I see only one thing to do." - -"What is that?" cried the others, as he paused. - -"That is for you, Sigurd, and me to steal a boat here in the harbor -and sail out south. We have a bare chance of reaching Sigvald in -time. Has Eirik reached Thrandheim yet?" He turned to Astrid. - -"Not yet, but he is expected at any time." - -"Then we may make it!" broke in Sigurd, excitedly. - -Here Astrid drew herself up, and said, in a determined voice, "Wait a -minute! If you go I go, too; you needn't think you can leave me -behind!" - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE RESCUE IN THE BAY. - -"That you sha'n't," replied Vagn. "We may be blown out to sea or -captured by Eirik or Hakon; there is no telling. You are safe here." - -Astrid's eyes flashed, and she cried, angrily, "I say I will go! If -we are taken, I will be just as safe; and you two can handle a small -boat in any sea." - -"But, Astrid," objected Sigurd, in dismay, "at best it will take us -three days, and--" - -"So much the more need of another person. Now say no more." She set -her mouth determinedly, and Vagn's opposition vanished in a peal of -laughter. - -"Come on," he cried gayly; "I would rather fight a dozen Norsemen -than try to oppose you! We'll go down to the harbor now and see -about a boat." - -"You seem to think it is no more than a matter of picking out a boat -and raising the sail," laughed Sigurd, as they left the hall. - -"No," returned Vagn, "but there's no use thinking about obstacles -before they appear." - -The streets were thronged with men from the countryside roundabout, -and the armorers seemed to be doing a thriving business. No one paid -any attention to the three, and they soon made their way to the -waterside. - -As they walked slowly along, looking at the ships in the harbor, -Sigurd suddenly stopped. - -"Hurrah! I believe that I have a better plan still!" he cried. "Do -you see that ship over there with the yellow eyes painted in her -prow?" - -"What of her?" asked Vagn. - -"Don't you remember? She was in Jomsborg a month since, and her -captain is an old friend of Jarl Sigvald's. Why can't we get him to -take us down below Hiorunga Bay to meet the fleet?" - -"The very thing!" Astrid clapped her hands in delight. "I confess -that it seemed well-nigh hopeless to make our way in a small boat -without being captured or blown far out to sea. But suppose he won't -take us?" - -"He will," returned Vagn, "I remember his name--Ulf Ringsson, and he -will be glad to help Sigvald. How shall we see him?" - -"Do you take Astrid back to the hall, and I will row out in a small -boat," replied Sigurd. "If any are watching us, we will throw them -off that way." - -So Astrid and Vagn turned back, and Sigurd sauntered about for a -time, as if watching the shipping. Presently he wandered down to a -boatman. - -"Lend me your boat for an hour or two, my friend," he said, handing -the man a coin. - -"Willingly," responded the man, pushing out his craft and putting the -oars into it. "Business is not so good these days; I fear that I may -have to go with Jarl Eirik if I want to make money!" - -"Better not," laughed Sigurd, "you might meet Jomsborg steel, and -that would be bad luck." - -The man chuckled as he shoved Sigurd off. "No danger, my lord! If -I'm not here when you return, just pull the boat up and leave her." - -Sigurd nodded, and pulled slowly from the shore. He did not head -straight out to the ship, but visited other craft first, asking -questions of their crews and appearing simply curious. After a -little he reached the side of Ulf's ship, and slipping under the side -opposite the shore, clambered over the rail. - -As he set foot on the deck, a tall man rose and faced him. "Who are -you and what do you want?" - -Sigurd smiled and took off his fur cap. "I want Ulf Ringsson, and I -am Sigurd Buisson of Bornholm." - -Ulf grasped his hand with a cry of surprise, and led him to the cabin. - -"The crew is ashore, but it is best to take no chances. Now what are -you doing here? I heard you had been taken by Hakon." - -The boy swiftly outlined his adventures, told of the trap that was to -be laid for the Jomsborg fleet, and asked Ulf to help them. - -"Of course, Sigurd, of course! I can stow you two and the Lady -Astrid away comfortably, but if we are overhauled--well, my men are -no fighters, you know!" - -"We'll take our chance of that," replied Sigurd, thanking him warmly -for his aid. "Now, when can you sail? Every minute counts." - -"I know, but I can't possibly start sooner than the morning of the -third day from now. Say midnight of the second night after this. My -cargo is not all in, and it would look too suspicious altogether. -But the 'Otter' is a fast ship, and we will get down the coast much -faster than will Eirik with his warships." - -"You can expect us then," said Sigurd. "Will you meet us on shore?" - -"It will be better so," replied Ulf. "I will get the 'Otter' farther -out before nightfall, and will wait for you opposite here with a -small boat." - -With a parting handshake Sigurd slipped over the side again, and -rowed slowly through the shipping on his way back. As he passed a -large ship, he saw that the sailors were making a clumsy effort to -raise the sail. Indeed, from their looks he took them for newly -raised levies from the country on their way to join Hakon, as the -ship was a war vessel. He rested a moment, watching them with a -smile; then it died away as he saw an officer, whose back was turned -toward him, standing directly beneath the heavy spar that the men -were hoisting. - -"He'd better look out," thought Sigurd, "if those fellows lost their -grip on the rope--ah, I thought so!" - -For, even as the thought flashed through his mind, the rope had -slipped loose from the men, and the yard fell, striking the officer a -glancing blow and knocking him overboard. - -With a shout Sigurd drove his oars into the water and reached the -place where the man had gone down before the confused men on the ship -could put out a boat. He could see nothing of the man, so, quickly -throwing off his fur cap and cloak and unbuckling his sword-belt, -Sigurd took a long breath and dived from the boat's side. - -For an instant the ice-cold water paralyzed him; then, opening his -eyes, the boy struck down. There, just beneath him, was the -senseless face of--Thorkel Leira! - -Sigurd checked his stroke. Why not leave this traitor and villain to -his fate, so richly deserved? Why risk his own life for that of a -worthless fellow such as Thorkel? But he only hesitated an instant; -hastily gripping the man's hair, he made for the surface. - -Although Sigurd was a good swimmer, he reached the air with a great -sigh of relief, for he had been under water nearly a minute, and the -water was too cold for comfort. Thorkel had been struck senseless -and made no resistance. - -As he emerged, a shout sounded in his ear, and there beside him was a -small boat. His own skiff was not far, and after the men at his side -hauled up Thorkel, he struck out for his own boat. Sigurd realized -only too well that he did not want to be questioned, for any mishap -now would ruin their plans of escape; so, paying no heed to the -shouts of the Norsemen, he clambered over the stern of his craft, -donned his fur coat hastily, and made for the shore. - -He pulled up the boat and made off at once. His dripping clothes had -already frozen, and the cloak hid most of them, so that he regained -the hall without question. As he entered his room, Vagn greeted him -with a cry of amazement when he threw off the cloak. - -"What on earth--" he began, but Sigurd interrupted with a laugh. - -"Water, rather, Vagn. Help me get these wet things off first." - -Jarl Hakon had sent them a goodly supply of garments, and when Sigurd -had changed to dry clothes he recounted the adventure to his cousin. - -"Good for you, old man!" cried Vagn, as he finished. "I don't think -that I would have resisted the temptation to let him drown and get -rid of the wretch. Did any recognize you?" - -Sigurd shook his head. "I got away too quickly, and Thorkel was -senseless. The yard struck him on the shoulder, so I suppose he -wasn't very badly hurt. Don't say anything to Astrid about it." - -"Why not?" asked Vagn, in surprise. - -"Well," Sigurd hesitated, "she would make a fuss about it, and--well, -I really wish you wouldn't, old fellow!" - -Seeing that Sigurd really wished it so, Vagn agreed, and they went to -Astrid's room to tell her of their plans with Ulf. - -Astrid greeted them with a laugh. "You changed pretty quickly, -Sigurd," she said. - -"Why, what do you mean?" Both boys stared at her. - -"Oh, one of my maids just ran in and told me how some yellow-haired -stranger rescued our old friend Thorkel down in the harbor, and ran -off before they could find out who he was. So I knew that it must be -Fairhair, here!" - -"So it was, Astrid!" cried out Vagn. "If I'd been there I would have -let the scoundrel drown!" - -"No you wouldn't, Vagn," protested Sigurd. "You might kill him in -fair fight, but you wouldn't let him drown without trying to save -him!" - -"Never mind," declared Astrid, looking at Sigurd, "it was a noble -thing to do, Fairhair, and I am proud of you for it." - -Sigurd blushed rosily, and hastily turned the conversation by -describing his meeting with Ulf. - -"By the way," added Vagn, "I found out something. At night our doors -are locked and a man sleeps outside in the hall, before them. Hakon -must think we are worth keeping!" - -Sigurd thought it over. "The only way I can see is to entice our -guard inside and tie him up, then go to Astrid's room and seize her -guard before he can cry out. Any way, Astrid, be ready on the second -night from this, about midnight, and we will get you somehow." - -"We had best not be seen together in the meantime," cautioned the -girl, "or someone may become suspicious." - -Vagn nodded. "That's right. Well, we won't see you till we come for -you, then!" - -"All right," laughed Astrid, as they left. "Good-by, till then!" - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE ESCAPE FROM THRANDHEIM. - -That night the two boys watched, and discovered that their guard was -changed at midnight, so they decided to make the attempt as soon as -the guards were changed, as this would give them more time to get -away safely. - -The two succeeding days passed slowly, and the boys spent them in -wandering about the town. They excited no attention, as in the -harbor were one or two Danish ships, a vessel from England, and -another from Iceland, both of the latter being trading ships -wintering in Norway. Sigurd could not repress a shudder as once they -passed the gloomy temple of Thor. - -"When will these people ever become Christian?" he said to his -cousin, as they gazed at the massive stone portal. "Should we really -conquer Norway, let our first deed be to tear down this blood-stained -old place, and erect in its stead a temple to Christ!" - -"Aye," corrected Vagn. "'If!' A vow is an easy thing, Fairhair, to -make, but a hard one to fulfill. Norway has many chiefs as noble as -Jarl Hakon, and no country can be conquered against its will while -there is one to lead the people against the invader. King Svein, or -his son Canute, may well take England, for Ethelred is a cruel and -hated king; but I misdoubt that we shall ever come to Thrandheim as -conquerors." - -On the second evening, when Harald came to lock them in their room, -he grumbled, "If it were not for you two, I would be with the Jarls -now. It will soon be all up with your Jomsborgers now!" - -"Why, what do you mean?" cried Vagn. "Eirik hasn't come here yet!" - -"Nor will he," rejoined Harald, as he shot the bolt. "He passed -outside the Firth to-day with sixty ships, and will join his father -by to-morrow night at More." - -"How many ships will both Jarls have?" called out Sigurd. - -The man paused in the hallway. "Close onto two hundred, for Hakon -took seventy-four south with him, and he will collect as many more in -the south." - -As the man's steps died away the two boys stared at each other in -dismal silence. - -"Too late, Sigurd!" Vagn's voice broke. - -"Not yet," contended Sigurd, stoutly. "Ulf said that the 'Otter' was -fast enough to pass Eirik, and besides, our own fleet may not have -come so far north yet. Never give up!" - -"That's true," granted Vagn, "for the men will probably want to land -and plunder. Well, there may be hope yet." - -They stood watch and watch until midnight; then, after the relieved -guard had retired, Vagn nudged Sigurd and the latter emitted a long, -dismal groan. - -At the second groan the man outside stirred; at the third he undid -the bolts, and said, "Here, what's wrong? Are you sick?" - -Sigurd groaned again, muttering something, and the man entered. As -he did so, Vagn threw his cloak over his head while Sigurd sprang at -him. For an instant he struggled furiously, but the cloak stifled -him, and soon he was lying bound on the floor, while the boys darted -off down the hall. - -Silently they made their way down to the women's quarters, meeting no -one. The man before Astrid's door was half asleep, and they secured -him with only a slight struggle. As they did so, the door opened and -the girl came out, a dark cloak over her kirtle. - -"Good!" she whispered, as she saw the man lying bound. "I'm all -ready." - -They gained the street without mishap, and ran at top speed down the -hill to the harbor, without meeting a person. Arriving at the -waterside, they found the "Otter's" boat awaiting them, with Ulf -himself on the shore, wrapped in a cloak. - -As they rowed out to the ship, Vagn told Ulf how they had escaped, -and as they reached the "Otter," Ulf leaped on deck, crying in a low -tone, "All ready men! Slip the cable and out oars." - -The oars, already muffled, were run out, and the men soon made the -"Otter" move briskly through the water, the faint starlight serving -to guide them through the shipping. A little later they gained the -open Firth, and the huge square sail was hoisted. They were at last -on their way home! - -"Well, that is the last I will see of Thrandheim for many a day." -declared Ulf, as they watched the shores flit by. "It will not -matter much, though. There is little to be gained in trading from -this country, and next voyage I think I will go to England or -Flanders. Now, don't you want to turn in? I have made the cabin -ready for the Lady Astrid, and I suppose that you can turn in with -the men, as I will." - -By morning they were well down the coast, and as the "Otter" was a -notably fast ship, Ulf had no fear of pursuit. All day they sailed -south, and at evening the ship's prow was turned out to sea. - -"Eirik's fleet passed down yesterday afternoon," explained Ulf, "and -we do not want to run into them. If the wind holds fair we will be -nearly opposite Hiorunga Firth by morning, and will turn in to the -coast then." - -When the boys wakened in the morning they saw that the "Otter" was -indeed heading east, but a thick fog lay over the sea and the wind -had dropped, the "Otter" being propelled by her oars. - -"We are near the coast," declared Ulf, "and as the sun must be just -rising this fog will blow away before long." - -Suddenly, as they forged slowly ahead, the helmsman hailed Ulf, who -sprang into the forecastle. - -"Come hither, friends," he called to the boys, and pointing ahead, -"what is that yonder?" - -There, ahead of them, it seemed as though many lights were burning -dimly through the mist. For a few minutes they gazed, puzzled; then -Vagn gave a cry. - -"Turn her prow, quickly!" he shouted to the helmsman. "Those are not -fires at all! That is a fleet yonder, and the fog where they are -must have cleared off, so that the sun shines on the gilded -dragon-prows! That is what we see!" - -It was too late, however, for a few minutes later the fog cleared off -around them, and not a mile away they saw the high cliffs of Norway; -while, farther off, gleamed the white sails of a great fleet of ships. - -"Which fleet is it?" cried Sigurd, his heart leaping. - -"I know not," responded Ulf. "We must run in and take our chance. -If the worst comes to the worst, we can outrun them, for the wind is -coming up strongly. Now for breakfast." - -They ate a hurried meal, while the "Otter" plowed on swiftly through -the waves. At the end of an hour Vagn, who was watching from the -forecastle, cried out in joy. "It is our own fleet! I see a sail -with a red cross!" - -"That is Hiorunga Firth, there to the north," declared Ulf, as Astrid -joined them in the prow. "See, the fleet is heading in toward it, -and we may be in time yet, for we will be up with them in half an -hour." - -In less than that space of time, indeed, they had come so near that -they could make out the individual ships, and as they all knew Jarl -Sigvald's ship by sight, Ulf steered toward that division. - -[Illustration: _As they all knew Jarl Sigvald'a ship by sight, Ulf -steered toward that division._] - -What a sight it was! Ship after ship, with their gayly painted sails -and glittering prows, in the shape of birds and beasts, all crowded -with armed men, while, far ahead, shone the sails of more. - -"That looks strange, Vagn," said Sigurd, uneasily. "I do not see any -of my father's ships; it must be that he has pressed ahead, and may -fall into Sigvald's trap!" - -A few minutes later the nearest ship hailed them, and as the -Jomsvikings recognized Vagn and Sigurd a mighty shout went up, which -rolled from ship to ship as the news spread through the fleet, and -amid a roar of war-horns and clashing of arms, the "Otter" drew up to -the ship of Jarl Sigvald, the oars being hastily drawn in, and Vagn -leaped aboard, followed closely by Sigurd. - -Sigvald was overjoyed at their escape, but there was no time for -telling the story now. Vagn swiftly described the plot of Jarl -Hakon, and a yell of rage arose from the men who had crowded around. -It was echoed from the other ships, who had drawn in, as the helmsman -shouted out the tidings. - -"We have no time to lose, then," cried Sigvald, "for Bui has gone -ahead and has landed men to plunder." He turned to the "Otter." -"Ulf," he shouted, "keep the Lady Astrid on board, and wait for three -days at the midmost of the Herey Isles, a mile or two south. If you -hear no news of us by then, fly with all speed to King Svein." - -Ulf waved his hand, and with a last good-by the boys parted from -Astrid as the ships were cast asunder. - -"I will put you on board your ship," exclaimed Sigvald to Vagn, "as -we go. Up sail! Out oars!" He seized his great war-horn and blew a -mighty blast. The men sprang to their places, and as they passed -through the fleet cheer after cheer went up for the plucky boys who -had brought the news. Hastily sails arose again and blades flashed -out in the morning sun, for Bui, who had landed ahead of the fleet -near Hod Island, must be warned at once. - -They drew alongside Vagn's ship, and the two boys sprang on board. -Vagn's men, who had followed his father and grandfather in many a -hard fray, went wild at the sight of him, and greeted Sigurd no less -heartily. But Fairhair was worried about his father, who he knew was -over-rash, and suddenly he heard the helmsman give a great cry of -dismay, and saw him wave his arms. - -"What is it?" he cried, as he dashed up the ladder, followed by Vagn. -But there was no need of words. There, cutting swiftly around the -end of Hod Island toward Hiorunga Bay, was the division of Bui, in -mad haste. He had fallen into the trap! - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -HIORUNGA BAY. - -"Forward!" Jarl Sigvald's war-horn rang out its command, and the -fleet pressed on to support their rash chief. Sigurd gave a groan of -dismay, but Vagn encouraged him. - -"He won't be taken, Fairhair, but will return when he sees the trap. -Nevertheless, we have fallen into it, for Sigvald cannot back out now -with honor; we must go forward and fight like Jomsborg men!" - -Bui's ships disappeared around the north end of Hod Island; then, as -Sigvald got his fleet into battle array, with each half-dozen ships -lashed side by side, they came back into sight, with lowered sails -and oars lashing the waters to spray. - -The ship of Bui was the first to reach the fleet, and as he stood in -the forecastle and shouted of his discovery, Sigvald checked him, and -ordered him to form his battle-line behind the fleet. Bui rowed past -Vagn's ship, and as he did so Sigurd sprang on the rail, with a shout. - -There was no time for stopping, so his father only waved his hand in -passing, and called out, in joy and surprise, "Skoal, Sigurd! Use -your best weapons to-day!" It was the last word Sigurd ever had with -his father, Bui of Bornholm. - -As the fleet moved forward slowly, one by one the ships of Bui -straggled back and formed behind Sigvald's line. The Jomsborg men -might have fled still, but they scorned to do that, and it was -against their laws. The day was clouding up now, and as they turned -the headland into the bay, the wind suddenly changed and blew dead -against them--and there, moving on them, lay the Norse fleet! - -Spreading out like a great crescent, glittering with oars and steel, -Hakon's fleet moved forward, while Sigvald broke his array into three -parts. Vagn Akison, by virtue of his father's place and his own -renown, commanded a third part of the ships; beside his vessels lay -those of Bui, while Sigvald commanded the last twenty. - -"Look, Vagn!" cried Sigurd, as they watched the Norsemen, still a -half-mile distant, "they are breaking up likewise!" - -"Yes," replied Vagn bitterly, "but there must be nearly two hundred -ships there, crowded with men. That means sixty or seventy against -each of our divisions of twenty!" - -Then, leaping into the waist, Vagn distributed the byrnies, or shirts -of woven steel rings, and opened several chests of swords and axes, -so that the men could get at them. He and Sigurd were fully armed, -and naught remained but to await the attack. - -It was not long in coming. Jarl Hakon's banners were suddenly -raised, with a great burst of war-horns, and a flight of stones and -arrows fell among the Jomsborg ships. Sigvald's banner was run up -likewise, and his men replied, but the Norsemen had the advantage, -for the wind was with them, and fast rising to a gale. Nevertheless, -the Jomsvikings shot well, and occasioned great confusion among their -foes, for their long, sharp shafts pierced shield, byrnie and body. - -As the two fleets drew together, most of the bows were flung aside, -and the spear-racks were emptied. Sigurd and Vagn, standing on the -high forecastle with their chosen men, plied their weapons fast; but -a minute later, with a crash that nearly threw them to the deck, the -fleets came together. - -"Concentrate on the ship against us!" shouted Sigurd, and a hail of -spears poured into the large ship whose prow ground into that of -Vagn's. The Norsemen strove to board, but a terrible burst of -weapons met them, and an instant later Sigurd gave a cry of joy. - -"Hurrah! We will win yet!" Vagn echoed the cry, for their attacker -was slowly withdrawing. - -"Cast a grapnel on them!" ordered Vagn, and as the Norse ship was -secured he leaped into her, followed by Sigurd and his forecastle -men. The Norsemen gave way, but as the Jomsvikings pressed forward a -new burst of horns arose, and into the press sailed a dozen fresh -ships. - -"Back for your lives!" called Sigurd, as he saw a crowd of the enemy -pouring aboard. "Back to our ship!" - -They could see nothing of the battle on either hand, for they were -surrounded by the Norse ships; but as they gained the deck of their -own vessel they heard a wild shout from Bui's ships, and again the -Norse line shrank backward. As Sigurd looked around, he saw Jarl -Hakon's ship just behind their own. - -"Look there, Vagn! Order the men to turn their spears on Hakon!" - -Vagn did so, and a storm of spears and arrows poured upon the Jarl's -ship. He stood proudly in the forecastle, and for a moment the rain -of weapons almost hid him; then he reappeared, smiling, but his armor -was ripped to pieces, and he shook himself free of it. - -Now a fresh burst of foemen bore down on Vagn's division, and only -the higher sides of the vikings' ships saved them. Men were falling -fast, but as yet the vikings had not suffered nearly so much as had -the enemy. The fighting had not yet become hand to hand, and in the -thickly crowded Norse ships not a Jomsborg spear failed of its mark, -and the trained skill of the vikings told heavily against the -unskilled levies of Hakon. - -Suddenly Sigurd laughed, and staggered. "What means the laugh, -Fairhair?" called Vagn, who was directing his men in the waist. - -"An arrow, but in the arm only," replied Sigurd. A shaft had pierced -his arm, just above the elbow, but he snapped off the barb and drew -it through the wound, and continued fighting. The next moment, -however, another arrow flew past his head and was buried in the rail -behind him; a third followed it, glancing from his helmet. - -Sigurd realized that someone was aiming at him steadily, and marking -the direction from which the arrows came, he saw the face of Thorkel -Leira in one of the ships below. The man was just aiming a fourth -shaft, half covered by the shield of a follower. - -Catching the arrow on his shield, Sigurd flung a spear in reply, with -all his force. The weapon struck full on the shield that covered -Thorkel, pierced it, and Thorkel staggered back. A fresh attack drew -Sigurd's attention, however, and when he looked for Thorkel again, -his ship had withdrawn. Now there happened a strange and terrible -thing. - -The day had steadily grown darker, with a rising wind. Suddenly a -blaze of lightning fell athwart the sky, and Jarl Hakon's ship stood -forth in the sight of all, wrapped in lambent flame, the Jarl himself -standing triumphantly in the stern, grasping a hammer like that of -Thor. - -A cry of horror arose from the Jomsvikings, who took the figure for -that of the war god; and the lightning was followed by a thick hail, -the stones as large as eggs, which burst full in the faces of the -Jomsborg men. - -"Thor with us! The gods fight for us!" An exultant shout pealed -upward from the Norse host, who pressed onward with renewed vigor. -All at once a cry broke from Vagn, a cry of anger and dismay. - -"Sigurd! Look yonder!" - -There behind them Jarl Sigvald had cut the lashings of his ships and -was fleeing! The Jomsborg men seemed wild with terror, for now they -thought that Hakon was right, that Thor and Odin were in truth -fighting for him, and they lost heart. - -Sigvald's ship cut through the press close behind that of Vagn, and -as it passed the boy called out: - -"Sigvald! Turn and fight! Turn and fight!" - -But Sigvald only urged his men to greater efforts, and the sail was -run up. At this Vagn seized a spear from the deck, and with a curse -hurled it at the fleeing Jarl. The spear missed him, but struck down -the helmsman at his side, and the ship was gone from sight in a -moment. - -Louder and louder pealed the war-horns of Hakon, as ship after ship -followed Sigvald in his flight. Vagn's men gave one angry yell, then -fought on in silence. Presently their attackers drew back for -breathing-space, and as they did so the boys saw Bui's ships close at -hand. - -Bui was without hope, but he was true to his vows, and fought on -stoutly. The Norse ships gave way before his onset, and with a shout -of triumph Bui's men cut their lashings to pursue. It was a fatal -error; for even as they did so fresh Norse ships drove down on them, -broke their solid front, surrounded them and began to pour in -boarders. - -Sigurd, watching helplessly, saw the Norsemen sweep aboard and slowly -clear the deck; Bui retreated to the forecastle with a few of his -men, but he was surrounded now, and his foes closed in. The old -warrior fought on steadily; Sigurd caught a glimpse of his father in -single combat with a gigantic Norseman, wielding an axe. Bui -slipped, and the axe whirled above him and fell on his helmet, -wounding him terribly; but recovering, Bui cut down his foe, then -leaped to the rail. - -"Overboard, all Bui's men!" rang out his voice, loudly. Just then -the fight closed in on Vagn afresh, but Sigurd caught a flash of -armor, and knew that his father had died as a viking should, beneath -the waves. - -The Jomsborg ships broke up now, each fighting desperately to the -last. One by one they were boarded and swept clean of men, and at -length it came the turn of Vagn's ship. - -Then, as the Norsemen swept over the side, the vikings put sword and -axe in play for the first time, the boys at their head. Time after -time the flood poured across the bulwarks, and time after time the -Jomsborg steel stemmed the tide and drove it back. At last a wild -yell arose behind them, and those of the crew who were left retreated -slowly to the forecastle, fighting desperately. - -A very handsome man, of lofty stature, swept over the prow with his -men, and cut his way to Vagn. The two met with a clash of swords, -and the tall man, evidently a leader of note, fell beneath Vagn's -blows; he was up again, however, and his men swiftly closed around -Vagn. Sigurd gave a shout of rage, and sprang to his friend's side, -but too late. - -The sea of fierce faces swept down on him, but recoiled before the -Jomsborg axes. Vagn lay motionless, and Sigurd, bestriding his body, -faced the handsome leader, axe in hand. The other's sword flashed, -and for a moment Sigurd was hard put to it to ward off the storm of -blows; then his axe fell on the other's helm, and the man staggered -back. Before he could follow up his advantage, Sigurd slipped in a -pool of blood--he saw a sword whirled above him, gave his battle-cry -once more--and sank across the body of Vagn. - -With the fall of Vagn and Sigurd, the battle was over. Thirty-five -ships had fled with Sigvald, twenty-five had remained with Bui and -Vagn. One by one they were boarded and cleared, for Jarl Hakon gave -no quarter; one by one they floated out of the whirl, empty but for -dying and dead. The vikings died beneath sword and spear, or -followed Bui's example and plunged beneath the waves, while far in -the distance the white sails of Sigvald glittered awhile and then -vanished to the south. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -HOW VAGN KEPT HIS VOW. - -"That is all, I think; twenty of them. No, this one stirred -somewhat. Here, lift him up." - -Sigurd opened his eyes. Over him were bending two men, one his -handsome opponent, the other--Thorkel Leira. The boy struggled to -his feet, the former assisting. - -It was only mid-afternoon, the storm had passed, and about the -Jomsborg ships lay the Norse fleet. Glancing around, Sigurd saw the -decks heaped with dead, and in the waist of the ship was a little -group of Jomsvikings, their arms bound. Then he remembered Vagn. - -Thorkel Leira was holding a horn of water to Vagn's lips, and as -Sigurd, weak and dizzy, knelt at his friend's side, he wondered why -Thorkel thus aided his deadly enemy. He was soon to know. - -Vagn looked up. As he caught sight of Thorkel he dashed the horn -aside and struggled up on Sigurd's arm. Before he could speak, -however, a group of men approached and bound the boys' arms, under -the orders of the handsome chief. Then they were led into the waist -of the ship and joined the others. - -The men gave a murmur of joy. "It was a noble fight, eh, Vagn?" -muttered an old viking, Biorn of Bretland, or Wales. "I have fought -for twenty years under your father Aki and your grandfather -Palnatoki, and I never saw a greater battle than this." - -"It is a sad one for the brotherhood, Biorn," replied Vagn weakly, -"when the Jarl himself turned tail and fled." - -A murmur of anger ran around the group, then Sigurd asked, "Who is -the tall man, and what will they do with us?" - -Biorn nodded toward some small boats near by. "They are taking us on -shore, I know not why. Neither do I know the man." - -A group of Norsemen approached, and the captives were led to the -boats, which were swiftly rowed to the shore. Here, upon a long -fallen tree, sat the Jomsborg men, with their feet bound in a long -rope; but their hands were left free. - -The Norsemen surrounded them, binding up wounds, exchanging rough -jests on the battle, and examining with awe and wonder these vikings -whose name was so famous, and who had fought so stoutly against such -great odds. - -Presently the tall man and Thorkel Leira landed. "I have it, -Sigurd!" cried Vagn. "That handsome man must be Jarl Eirik, Hakon's -son!" - -At that instant the handsome man came up to the captives. - -"You fought well and stoutly, Jomsvikings," he said, "and I am in -truth sorry that Jarl Hakon has ordered that no quarter be given, for -I would fain spare your lives if I might." - -"It is the fortune of war," replied Vagn, smiling bravely. "Had we -conquered, I do not think that Sigvald would have spared Hakon -either, yet Christian men have more merciful customs than you who -follow Thor and Odin." - -The other flushed slightly, turning to Thorkel. "It is not to my -taste, Thorkel, to slay these helpless men thus." - -Thorkel smiled his cunning, cruel smile. "It is much to my taste, -Jarl, to slay Vagn Akison!" - -At this Vagn cried out, "Yet you feared to stand before me in battle, -Thorkel! Say, will you loose my bonds and meet me now with sword or -axe?" - -A murmur of assent arose from the Norsemen who stood around, but -Thorkel shook his head, as he fingered the big axe in his hand. - -As Thorkel withdrew to speak with the handsome man for a moment, old -Biorn leaned over and whispered excitedly to Sigurd: "It is just a -chance, Fairhair, so try it." - -Sigurd nodded as Thorkel returned. "Best begin with the chiefs, -Thorkel," he cried, although his heart beat madly, for if Biorn's -plan did not work nothing could save his life. Thorkel advanced and -stood in front of him. - -"Since you are in haste to die, let it be so." - -"Wait!" exclaimed Sigurd, as the man swung his axe aloft. "Let -someone hold my hair, lest it be defiled and soiled." - -A Norseman, with a word of admiration at the lad's bravery, stepped -forward and gathered up the boy's long, fair hair in his hands, and -the axe swung. - -As it descended, Sigurd jerked his body so strongly to one side that -the axe was buried in the earth, and Thorkel lost his balance and -fell forward. A laugh went up from the crowd as the angry man rose, -but the handsome chief advanced and held his arm. - -"Who are you, handsome lad?" - -"I am called Sigurd, and am Bui's son," replied Sigurd, looking up to -the other's eyes, which met his in admiration. "The Jomsborg men are -not yet all dead!" - -"Truly you are a son of Bui!" exclaimed the other. "Will you take -life and peace from me?" - -"If you have the power to give it," answered Sigurd. - -The man drew himself up. "He offers who has power to give--Jarl -Eirik Hakonson." - -"Thanks, Jarl," replied Sigurd, with a breath of relief, "I will -accept it." The whisper of old Biorn had proved true. - -Thorkel, with a dark frown, plucked up his axe, and cried angrily, -"Though you spare all these men, Eirik, Vagn shall not escape me!" - -With that he raised the axe. As the weapon whirled, Biorn flung -himself against Thorkel's knees. The man stumbled, the axe fell; and -Vagn, springing up in a flash, seized it and fulfilled his vow. - -A great shout of applause rang out, for above all things Norsemen -love a brave deed. They crowded around admiringly, and Jarl Eirik -with a smile, said, "Will you also take life, Vagn?" - -"That I will," answered Vagn, "if you will also give it to my men as -well." - -"Loose them from the rope," commanded the Jarl, and it was done. - -By this time evening was coming on, and the Norsemen hastily made a -camp on the shore; Jarl Hakon was encamped across the bay. The men -sat around the fires and talked in low tones, and presently the two -boys were summoned to the fire of the Jarl. - -Eirik greeted them with a winning smile. "Sit down and eat, friends, -for I have somewhat to think over. My father gave express commands -that no Jomsviking was to be spared; why I gave you life I know not, -save that you were but boys, and full of courage. Now, whither would -you go?" - -Vagn looked at Sigurd. The latter nodded, and Vagn told Eirik the -story of Ulf and Astrid, who were waiting a few miles away. When he -finished the Jarl sat in thought for a moment. - -"Here is my counsel. If I send you both off together, my father will -send a ship after you to slay you, and I will not have my promise -broken. I go home from here by land to the mountains, and so to my -own earldom. I would advise that you, Vagn, come with me, for I can -protect you, and let Sigurd rejoin Ulf with the eighteen Jomsvikings -who are left. I will send you home, Vagn, within a month at most." - -"That is a good plan," exclaimed Vagn. "Do you not think so, -Fairhair?" - -Sigurd assented, though he disliked to part with his cousin; but -there was no help for it, and so it was decided. - -Early the next morning the Jomsborg men and Sigurd ran out three -small boats and said farewell to Vagn. Eirik armed them all well, -and made them many presents; and as they pushed off Vagn stood on the -shore, waving farewell. - -"I'll see you at Jomsborg next month," called Sigurd. "Farewell!" - -Under a fair wind the three boats ran quickly down the bay, rounded -the end of Hod Island, and arrived in an hour at the Herey Islands. -Steering in between the largest and smallest, they reached into the -bay, and there before them lay the "Otter." - -A shout of greeting came to them, and as they pulled up to the side -Ulf Ringsson sprang on the rail. - -"What news of the battle? Who won?" - -Sigurd pointed to his men, all of them wounded. "These are all left -of the Jomsvikings," he replied. A cry of horror went up, and Ulf -staggered back. - -"Impossible! Where is your father Bui, Jarl Sigvald, Vagn Akison, -Aslak Holmskalle? They cannot be dead!" - -"Some are even worse off," said Sigurd, climbing the rail wearily. -"Vagn is safe, my father is dead with Aslak, and Sigvald and his men -have fled home again." - -While Astrid greeted Sigurd, and his wounded and weary men clambered -on board, Ulf remained stunned with amazement. "Fled! Fled!" he -muttered. "The Jarl himself false to his vows!" - -He could not believe it; for it was the most sacred law of Jomsborg -that no viking should turn his back to a foe. Sigurd told of the -fight, while the excited sailors questioned his men, and as he -finished Astrid sprang forward. - -"You are wounded, Sigurd! See, your arm is all red, and your head is -bloody!" - -"Yes, bind it up," laughed Sigurd bitterly, "for the Jomsborg rules -are shattered with the brotherhood forever!" Then he reeled, and -would have fallen save for the strong hand of Ulf. - -They carried him to the cabin, and while the men set sail, Ulf, who -was skilled as a leech, extracted the broken arrow-head and bound up -the wound. The other, on his head, was not dangerous, and Sigurd -soon fell into a deep sleep, not waking till the afternoon. - -The rocking of the ship told him that they were out at sea, so he -hastened on deck; to his surprise, the land was out of sight, and a -heavy gale was blowing. - -"So you are awake!" cried Astrid. "How do you feel?" - -"Ready for another battle," laughed Sigurd, then his brow clouded -over as he thought of his father. Astrid, divining his thoughts, was -silent for a moment, then changed the subject. - -"We had no sooner left the land than this gale broke on us, and Ulf -says that it is growing stronger every minute." - -Sigurd looked around. Indeed, the gale was a heavy northeaster, and -now he noticed that the sail was close-reefed, and that everything -was stowed away save the three boats in which he had come to the -"Otter," which were lashed securely in the shelter of the high stern. - -"Hello, I'm glad to see you around so soon!" cried Ulf cheerily, and -the boy gripped his hand in thanks. - -"If Jarl Hakon were here, Ulf, he would say that Ran, the ocean -queen, was trying to complete the work begun by Thor and Odin at -Hiorunga Bay." - -Sigurd smiled at Astrid, but the captain looked about anxiously. - -"We are in for a bad blow, Sigurd. It is good that the 'Otter' is -stanch, for to tell you the truth, we are far from our course for -Denmark, and it may well be that we shall be driven farther still." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -"SKOAL, TO KING OLAF!" - -Much as they loved the keen wind and dash of the spray, Sigurd and -Astrid were soon driven from their post in the bow of the "Otter," -for the seas began rolling up tremendously, and they were forced to -seek the shelter of the cabin. The men were all stowed away below, -save for the watch on duty, and as the "Otter" was a stanch vessel, -and Ulf a good captain, Sigurd had no fear but that they would -outride the storm safely. - -"How strange it all seems!" remarked Astrid that evening. "Only a -few short weeks ago we were all together at the heir-ship feast of my -uncle, and now the Jomsborg power is shattered, Vagn is far off in -Norway, and here we are driving no one knows where, over the sea! I -wonder what became of your falcon!" - -Sigurd laughed. "I wonder what! Never mind, we will soon be back -again with good Queen Gunhild. Hello! how goes it, Ulf?" - -[Illustration: "_Never mind, we will soon be back again with good -Queen Gunhild._"] - -The captain entered, dripping with brine, and shook his head. -"Badly, Sigurd. It is fully the worst storm I ever saw, and I was a -fool for ever putting to sea at this time of year. However, we must -trust in God and do our best to weather it." - -So for five days the "Otter" scudded before the gale, utterly -helpless. There was plenty of work for all, however, for the giant -seas swept the low hull repeatedly, and everyone was kept busy -bailing the ship, from morning to night. It was lucky, indeed, that -the eighteen Jomsvikings had come aboard with Sigurd, for as it was -all were so exhausted by the constant labor that they worked -mechanically, and at the end of every watch they lashed themselves to -the bulwarks and dropped to sleep at once. - -On the fifth evening Sigurd was sitting in the cabin, talking to -Astrid, when they were startled by a loud crash, followed by shouts -and cries. Sigurd ran out on deck. - -"The mast!" shouted Ulf in his ear. Sigurd turned and saw only a -ragged stump. Ulf motioned him inside, for the gale blew all words -away, and when the door was closed cried in despair. - -"Sigurd, I have done my best! Had the mast held we would have been -safe, for the storm is breaking, I think; but an hour since I saw -land in the west, and we cannot beat off now." - -"Know you what land it was?" inquired Astrid. Ulf shook his head -despondently. - -"For aught I know, it may be Scotland, or the Fareys, or the Orkneys, -or even that Vinland which the Icelanders say Eirik the Red -discovered. I am lost, and we are in the hands of God." - -Presently Ulf went out again, and managed to rig enough canvas to the -stump of the mast to keep the "Otter's" head before the wind. In -this fashion they drove ahead all night, and with daybreak a long -line of cliffs was disclosed, straight ahead, and only a few miles -away. - -As they stood watching on the forecastle, Astrid pulled at Sigurd's -arm. "Why can't we escape in those boats, when the 'Otter' drives -ashore?" she shouted in his ear, pointing to the three boats lashed -in the stern. This had not occurred to Sigurd or Ulf, because the -viking ships themselves were so small that they rarely carried boats, -as they could be drawn up on shore easily enough. - -"Hurrah! Good idea, Astrid!" Sigurd hastened to Ulf's side, but the -latter shrugged his shoulders at the plan. - -"To what end? We will only be putting off death for a few minutes; -once we drive on those cliffs and it will be over." - -Nevertheless, at Sigurd's urging the boats were made ready, for -although the storm was breaking they were fast nearing the shore. -Into each boat were put arms and food, well secured. - -"We must leave before she strikes," shouted Ulf, "else the seas will -sweep boats and all away." - -Sigurd nodded, and returned to Astrid. The cliffs were not a mile -away now, and they could see the white spray flying high from the -dark rocks. Presently Ulf motioned to them, and they descended into -the waist of the ship, joining the crowd about the boats. Sigurd -took command of one, Ulf of another, and Biorn of Bretland commanded -the third; then all awaited the word. The "Otter" was low in the -water now, and it would be no great task to launch the boats over her -side. - -Presently Ulf gave a sharp command. "Out!" The six men assigned to -each boat lifted it, poised it an instant on the rail, then as a -giant crest foamed along the three boats were borne out together. A -man leaped in each, and fended off from the "Otter's" side with a -spear, while the rest hastily embarked. - -"Farewell, old Otter!" cried Ulf, the last to leave; and as they -swept from the vessel they saw her suddenly lurch and reel wildly. - -"Just in time!" said Sigurd to Astrid, who was in his boat. "She -struck then, but scraped over; next time--" - -While he was speaking, the ship heeled far over on her side, amid a -cloud of flying foam; but they could not watch her further, for now -they were fighting for their own lives. Sigurd was at the tiller, -and he followed Ulf closely, while the men rowed steadily. The seas -swept them in under the cliffs, and Ulf suddenly raised his hand and -waved it. Straight at the high walls his boat darted, and then -Sigurd saw a little stretch of beach before them as he swept in. - -With a last stroke the men drove the boats up, then leaped out and -drew them up. Sigurd carried Astrid up the beach and looked around. -The cliffs did not seem so steep now, and Sigurd realized that they -would be able to climb them, just as Ulf joined him. The captain was -in more hopeful spirits now. - -"Your plan certainly saved us, lady," he exclaimed to Astrid. "I had -given up hope--strange I did not think of those boats myself. But we -so seldom use small boats that I never gave them a thought. Now, -Fairhair, what had we best do?" - -Sigurd looked out to sea, where the hull of the "Otter" was fast -breaking up under the smashing blows of the waves. "Well, I think we -had better take the arms and food from the boats, scale those cliffs, -and see where we are. We have over a score of well-armed men, and -the folk, whoever they are, will hesitate before molesting us." - -Ulf turned and gave the necessary orders, then, followed by Biorn and -the rest, they made for the cliffs. These, as Sigurd had foreseen, -offered no great difficulties to the Norsemen, who were all used to -climbing about their native fiords, and in half an hour they stood on -the brow and looked about. - -Before them lay a heavily wooded country, rolling with small hills -and valleys, but without a sign of habitation. The storm was nearly -over now, and while the seas still rolled mountain-high below them, -the sun was just breaking through the clouds, and in the distance -they caught the sheen of a river. The men hailed the sun with a cry -of delight, and Ulf pointed to the river. - -"Let us make for that, Sigurd, and there we can have fresh water and -a meal. After that we can decide what to do." - -So, striking away from the sea, they entered the forest. It was the -end of autumn now, and though the leaves had fallen from many of the -trees, the forest was composed in great part of pines, fresh and -green. Even Biorn looked puzzled as he tried to make out the country. - -"I do not think it is Scotland," he said, "and certainly it is -neither the Fareys nor the Orkneys. It is not my own land of Wales, -for that was far from our course; it might be Ireland, but I have -never been in that land." - -"Ireland!" cried Astrid. "Why, isn't that where men say Olaf -Tryggveson is king?" - -"So it is," rejoined Sigurd, "but it must be a wide land, and we have -small hope of finding Northmen here." - -"Well," remarked Ulf, "we can but push on boldly. If we are indeed -in Ireland, we are lucky, for men say that in that country there is -the finest civilization in Europe--" - -"There used to be, Ulf," growled old Biorn, "just as there used to be -in Wales, my own land; but the heathen vikings have well-nigh -destroyed it all." - -Soon they come out on the banks of a wide and sluggish river, and -with cries of joy the men rushed down to the bank and plunged in, -drinking greedily and washing the salt brine from their bodies. -Sigurd filled a horn for Astrid, but as she returned it a shout broke -from Biorn: - -"Back! Back! Out swords, men!" - -At the same moment a flight of arrows fell among the men, striking -down two of the sailors, and a wild yell reëchoed from the trees. -The Jomsvikings, protected by their byrnies and helmets, hastily -scrambled up the bank and fell into line around the leaders, the -others forming behind them. - -Dark forms flitted among the trees, and Sigurd called out, "Shield to -shield, men! Hold your spears ready for the word." - -The vikings' bows were useless, the strings having been soaked, so -they waited helplessly. Arrows fell thickly, but Sigurd covered -Astrid with his shield, and they did no further harm. Then, with a -yell, a crowd of men broke out of the forest; they were clad in -woolen tunics, a few wore armor, while all held spears and axes. As -they charged, Sigurd gave the word. - -The attackers broke as the heavy Jomsborg spears sent half a dozen to -the ground; but as they did so a war-horn rang out behind them, and a -voice cried in Norse, "At them, men! For the Cross!" - -Through the forest glades swept a band of steel-clad men, driving the -others before them in headlong flight. As pursuers and pursued -vanished amid the trees, their leader approached the little band of -shipwrecked men. - -Although Sigurd was tall, he noted with surprise that this man was a -good head and shoulders above him, and broad in proportion. His -features were frank and open, his eyes blue and piercing, and his -hair was red-gold, waving over his golden armor. He wore a blue -cloak, a gold helm and gold-linked byrnie, and on his shield was a -great cross in red. - -"Are you Christian men?" he asked, as he drew near, fixing his eyes -on Sigurd. - -"That we are," cried the latter, joyfully. "Where are we? Who are -you who rescued us so opportunely?" - -"You are on the coast of Ireland, and my city of Dublin is only three -miles distant. These Irish would never have dared come so near had -they not thought me absent from home on a cruise. I am Olaf, son of -King Tryggve of Norway." - -At this the Jomsvikings gazed in wonder on the handsome chief; then -with a blast on his war-horn old Biorn led the shout: - -"Skoal to King Olaf! Skoal!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -HOW ASTRID FARED FORTH. - -"Thanks, friends!" smiled Olaf, and Sigurd thought that never in all -his life had he seen so handsome and kingly a man. "Who are you, -young sir? And who are these men? Truly, I have seldom beheld so -fine a set of warriors, wounded though they are!" - -"I am Sigurd Buisson of Bornholm, King, and with me is Astrid of -Vendland, niece of Gunhild of Denmark. This is Ulf Ringsson, captain -of our ship, and as for my men, they are the last of the Jomsvikings." - -"What!" Olaf's eyes opened in amazement, and he threw down his -weapons. "Tell me your tale, quickly! I heard of Svein's accession -feast, but nothing of what followed. Has Sigvald, then, won Norway?" - -Sigurd told of the battle at Hiorunga Bay, and Olaf's face darkened. -As he concluded, the Norsemen of Olaf returned and all took up the -march for Dublin, Sigurd's men mingling with the others. - -While they walked along Olaf told them of how he had fled to Russia -when his father was murdered, how he had become a viking, wandering -the ocean, and how he had been baptized. Then he had come to Ireland -and won the kingdom of Dublin, ruling it together with his -brother-in-law, Olaf Kvaran. - -"We saw your ship from the castle," he explained, "so I came out to -aid any who might escape. Now, what do you intend doing?" - -"As to that," returned Sigurd, "I care little; but the Lady Astrid -here must be returned home." - -"Then will you be my man?" inquired Olaf. - -"That will I!" Sigurd turned to his men and called, "Listen, -Jomsvikings! What say you to taking service with King Olaf?" - -"Aye!" the shout went up, with clashing of arms, and Olaf smiled. -"That pleases me well, Sigurd, for a few Jomsborg men are worth a -hundred others. As to Astrid, she must take her chance; it is too -late in the season for ships now, and I fear she must remain with us -till spring. However, that can wait; there is the city." - -As they left a valley, Dublin lay before them, and the Jomsborg men -cried out in surprise, for the town was very beautiful, and defended -with strong walls and towers such as they had seldom seen. Soon they -were riding through the streets, and the men were quartered in the -palace, where Olaf also assigned rooms to Ulf, Sigurd and Astrid. - -Olaf sent fresh and new garments to all, and soon they rejoined him -in the great hall for the midday meal. Here Olaf introduced them to -Queen Gyda, his brother-in-law, and one or two of his chief men, and -soon they were all chatting away merrily, forgetful of their past -troubles. - -After the meal Sigurd led his Jomsborg men into the hall, up to the -high seat of Olaf. Kneeling, Sigurd placed his hands between those -of the King, and swore to obey him and to be his man. One by one the -rest followed his example, and when the ceremony was over Olaf -presented each man with a shield, ornamented with a large red cross; -but to Sigurd he gave a magnificent golden helmet, on top of which -was wrought a dragon in the same metal, its wings outstretched and -sweeping far back. - -"I won this helm in Russia," smiled the King, "so see that the dragon -bears his face ever toward my foes!" - -Sigurd was overjoyed with the gift, which was a helm worthy a king, -and thanked Olaf most sincerely. The next day he was given a command -in the court-men, or bodyguard, and took up his new duties. - -A week later the first snow fell, but as Astrid had given up all hope -of reaching home before spring, she did not mind greatly. Indeed, -Olaf's court was a pleasant one, and both Sigurd and Astrid enjoyed -themselves immensely. - -Queen Gyda became very fond of Astrid, who was a favorite with all -because of her sunny disposition and gay heart. Sigurd's wound soon -healed, and by Yuletide both had adjusted themselves to their new -surroundings. - -Sigurd grew much attached to King Olaf. Olaf was high-tempered, but -just, and in warlike exercises no one could equal him. Often he -would go down to the harbor, bid his men row out a warship, and then -while the oars were out walk along them. Not content with this, he -would sometimes juggle knives or balls, keeping his balance perfectly. - -He took great interest in "Fairhair," for Sigurd's nickname could not -be left behind, and himself added to the store of sword-tricks the -boy had learned in the school at Jomsborg. - -Yuletide passed, and a few weeks later a ship drove into the bay, to -the astonishment of everyone, for the ships of that day did not often -venture on voyages in winter. The new arrivals were from Norway, and -were traders. - -It happened that Ulf had not heard of the ship, and as he sat at meat -that evening he leaped to his feet suddenly. - -"What is that man who just passed the door?" he exclaimed. The King -darted a swift, keen look at the captain, and replied: - -"That is Thorir Klakke, who arrived to-day from Norway with his -brother Ketil, bearing news and goods for trading." - -"Then beware of him, Olaf," remarked Ulf, "for I have often seen him -in deep converse with Jarl Hakon. He is here for no good, I think." - -Shortly after this Thorir and his brother entered. Both men were -short, dark, and well dressed; but their eyes roved about constantly -beneath their low brows. Ketil's face in particular was powerful, -yet sullen. - -Thorir started slightly at sight of Sigurd, but Olaf greeted him -kindly, and he sat down silently, falling into low converse with his -brother. For several days nothing occurred, save that Thorir had -frequent audiences with Olaf; but at every meal Sigurd noted Ketil's -gaze fixed on himself or Astrid, although it dropped before that of -Sigurd. This puzzled him, for he could not see why Ketil should be -interested, and it also angered him, for he saw plainly that Astrid -did not like it. - -A week or two after the arrival of the Norsemen, Olaf and Sigurd were -talking together, while Astrid and the Queen were busy with their -sewing. Suddenly the King exclaimed, abruptly: - -"Sigurd, how would you like to visit Norway next summer?" - -The boy started, meeting the King's eye eagerly. "Nothing better, my -lord!" - -Olaf smiled. "Well, Thorir urges me to take the realm of Norway from -Hakon, as is my right. He says that the bonders are not satisfied -with the Jarl's rule and that it would be an easy task to overthrow -him. What think you?" - -"Well," responded Sigurd, "if Jarl Hakon could overthrow the might of -Jomsborg, methinks it would go hard with others who attempt his -kingdom." - -Here Astrid, who had been listening earnestly, broke in: "Perhaps, -King Olaf, Hakon might have sent this man to bring you into his -power!" - -Olaf stared at Astrid for a moment, then his blue eyes lit up with a -fierce light, and his fist came down on the table. "As I am a -Christian man, that is it! Beware, Thorir Klakke! If I go to -Norway, it will not be as your master expects!" - -"Hakon has sixteen Jarls under him," remarked the Queen, "and some of -them may not be such great friends of his by next fall. If each -commands one of the districts of the kingdom, you may find an opening -in that way, Olaf." - -The King nodded. "In any case, I will take a strong force. And when -I do rule Norway, I swear by this sword that I will root out paganism -from the land, and bring the country under the Cross of the white -Christ! The Hammer of Thor shall vanish from the land!" - -For a moment the King's handsome face was stern, and filled with a -high resolve; then it softened again, as he rose and bid Sigurd -good-night. - -A few days later the boy felt the bearing of Ketil becoming -intolerable, and he resolved to warn the man to gaze at Astrid less -insolently. It was his watch upon the walls that night, and as he -was passing through the narrow and dark streets, three men sprang out -on him, from a doorway. Although taken by surprise, Sigurd put his -back to a wall, and drew his sword. - -His light shield cracked and split under the furious blows, although -the men could only attack Sigurd singly, for a doorway on either side -of him afforded some protection. Knowing that his men were not far, -Sigurd shouted the old Jomsborg call, and at this the three -assailants redoubled their efforts. - -Sigurd caught an axe blow on his shield, which sheared it from his -arm; but his sword fell upon the other's shoulder, and with a -muttered curse the axe fell. Springing out, Sigurd clove the helm of -the second man with one quick stroke, but he received at the same -time a tremendous blow from the sword of the third man. The boy -staggered, and fell over the body of the man he had killed; and a -loud shout came from the corner, with torches streaming in the lane, -which put the assassins to flight. - -The men gave a shout of anger as they saw Sigurd lying in the street, -but the men had escaped, and Biorn raised Sigurd tenderly. The -latter, thanks to the gift of Olaf, was unhurt, but a dent in the -side of the helmet bore witness to the blow's power. - -Biorn turned over the body of the slain man, and the men gave a cry. -"He is one of the crew of Thorir Klakke! To the King!" - -"Stop!" shouted Sigurd as the vikings were rushing off. "Let this -wait till morning; they cannot escape, and the King dislikes to be -disturbed from his sleep." - -They yielded, although unwillingly, and Sigurd took up his guard -again. This was to be an eventful night, however, for two hours -after midnight one of the harbor guards ran up to him, and cried: - -"Sigurd, Thorir Klakke's ship is leaving, and will not answer our -signals; come quickly!" - -Calling to Biorn, Sigurd ran down to the harbor, and in the dim light -could see the trading vessel, which had not been drawn up on shore, -slowly making her way toward the harbor entrance, for the port was -too wide to freeze far from shore. - -Without wasting time in hailing, Sigurd sprang into a light skiff, -moored at the edge of the ice, set a dozen men at the oars, and in -five minutes was close to the ship. - -"Way enough, men," he said, then lifted his voice: "What business -have you leaving Dublin thus? Come back and give an accounting!" - -At this the oars flashed out the faster, and a mocking voice -responded: "What, indeed, young cockerel? Go back to Jomsborg and--" - -"Help, Sigurd! Help!" broke in a cry, "they have--" - -Silence fell again, but something flashed into the water beside -Sigurd's boat, and as Biorn picked it up, the boy exclaimed: - -"That was Astrid's voice! Alongside, men!" - -Only a mocking laugh answered, as the square sail rose and the ship -filled away. "No use," said Biorn. "Better return; see, I have -picked this up." He held out something to Sigurd. - -Now Sigurd and Astrid both knew the secret of Runic writing, which -only the priests and high chieftains among the Northmen were familiar -with; and looking down at the object, Sigurd saw it was a bit of -wood, with something scratched on it. The light was too dim to see -further. - -"Back to the landing!" cried Sigurd, a terrible fear in his heart. -"Hasten!" - -As they drew ashore he leaped out, and held the piece of wood up to -the light of a torch. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -FAREWELL TO DUBLIN. - -Biorn and the vikings crowded around, as he deciphered the scratches, -for they were unable to read Runic, which was more like shorthand -than anything else. A cry of dismay burst from Sigurd. - -"Listen, men! 'Ketil bears me to England! Rescue, Sigurd!' Come, -men, to the palace!" - -"To the palace! To the palace!" They echoed his words, and the -terrible Jomsborg battle-yell startled the sleeping town, and pealed -up to the castle. - -"Bring Thorir Klakke, but harm him not," commanded Sigurd, "while I -arouse the king." - -Olaf, however, was already up, wakened by the tumult. Sword in hand, -he entered the great hall just as Sigurd burst in at the other end. - -"What means this uproar?" roared Olaf, his eyes blazing with anger. - -"Justice and vengeance, King!" panted Sigurd, as he handed Olaf the -bit of wood. Sheathing his weapon with a frown, Olaf took the -object, and by the light of the torches read the message. - -"What means it?" - -"Astrid of Vendland is kidnaped, Olaf, and I was set upon by three -men in the streets. One I killed, and he was a man of Thorir -Klakke's--stay, here is Thorir now." - -Biorn and two vikings entered the hall behind Sigurd, leading the -terrified Thorir. Olaf, grasping the whole situation, strode up and -thundered in the merchant's ear: - -"What means this night's work? Where is your brother?" - -Thorir stammered out, "Indeed, my lord, I know not. Is he not in his -rooms?" Then, growing bolder, "Am I accountable for Ketil's doings, -Olaf? What mean you?" - -Olaf looked into the man's eyes a moment, and before that terrible -gaze Thorir squirmed helplessly, but did not weaken. "Begone to your -rooms!" said the King, contemptuously, and turned abruptly to Sigurd. - -"Now tell me the tale in full." - -Sigurd told him of the attack, of the flight of the ship, and of -Astrid's cry, in a few words. "I sent men to her rooms," he -concluded. "Here they come now." - -Close on his words the men entered, with them Queen Gyda and some of -her ladies. Queen Gyda, who had learned the cause of the tumult from -the vikings, told how a messenger had summoned Astrid an hour before, -saying that Sigurd was hurt in a brawl, and how the girl had run out -hastily. - -"Come with me, quickly," ordered the King, and Sigurd followed him to -the ramparts of the castle. The dawn was just breaking, and far out -at sea they saw a speck of white. - -"With Thorir I will deal later, for we have no proof against him as -yet," said the King, "but that man yonder has dishonored me, and -shall die. Fairhair, take what men you will from my courtmen, and -the 'Crane,' the fastest longship in the harbor. Ketil has taken his -brother's ship, so you should soon come up with him. The 'Crane' is -in the water, and is well provisioned; so hasten--be off within the -hour." - -"Thanks, Olaf!" replied Sigurd. "I was about to ask this very thing -of you. I will take my own men and thirty of yours. Thanks, for all -your kindness, and above all for your friendship, Olaf!" - -The King smiled sadly. "I have few friends, Sigurd, and methinks you -are the most faithful of them, though the newest. No, go with God, -and forget him not, for it is still the season of storms." - -As Sigurd turned away, the King stopped him with a sudden impulse. - -"Stay! Give me your hands." Wondering, Sigurd put his hands between -Olaf's. "Now swear again your oath to me, Jarl Sigurd!" - -The boy, overcome by this unexpected title and honor, stumbled -through the oath, and rose with tears in his eyes. - -"I need no oath to be faithful, King Olaf! When you have won Norway, -the title of friend is all I want." - -Quick tears sprang to Olaf's eyes also, and unbuckling his -sword-belt, he threw it over Sigurd's shoulders, saying, "I have no -earldoms yet, but here is my Jarl-gift, my friend. Farewell!" - -Sigurd wrung the King's hand, then turned and ran down the stairway -to the courtyard. Hastily assembling his men, and choosing thirty -from Olaf's followers, he sent them down to the "Crane" with Biorn, -and followed them himself a few minutes later, after bidding Ulf -farewell. The captain would have accompanied him, but Olaf was -sending him on a mission to an Irish king in the interior. - -The "Crane," as Olaf had said, was well stocked with all things -needful for a voyage; so, weighing anchor, the sail was run up and -the voyage begun. As they left the harbor, Sigurd told his men of -his advancement, and it was greeted with a shout of satisfaction; for -the Jomsvikings were proud of their young leader, and the other men -had heard many tales of his bravery. Indeed, even though the title -carried no lands, it was the ambition of every chief of good birth to -be made Jarl, or Earl, for the Jarls were second only to the King. - -The oars were run out, for the wind was light, and under all speed -the "Crane" ran southward. Ketil's ship was out of sight, but his -goal was known, and Sigurd was confident that he would overtake the -other ship before night. - -"Why, think you, is he heading for England instead of for Norway?" -Sigurd asked old Biorn. - -The latter paused a moment. "Well, Jarl Sigurd, it is in my mind -that Ketil is a cunning man. If he took Astrid to Norway, he would -make nothing; but by taking her to England, much. King Ethelred -would pay high for such a hostage from King Svein of Denmark." - -"Oh, I see! Then she will not be harmed?" - -"Assuredly not, Jarl, at least till she reaches England, which I -trust will never be. Ethelred is as treacherous as Hakon himself, -and if she once falls into his clutches it would be a bad business." - -They did not come up with Ketil's ship so soon as Sigurd expected, -for not till mid-afternoon did the helmsman give a shout, and Sigurd, -running to the forecastle, saw a white speck far ahead. - -"Lower the sail," he ordered, "and get out all the oars," for until -then only half the oars had been going, to save the men's strength. -"We cannot come up with them to-day," he explained, "so it were best -to let Ketil think himself safe." - -So the sail was lowered and the "Crane" proceeded under her oars till -nightfall, when the sail was hoisted again and the oars taken in. -The wind freshened toward midnight, when Sigurd relinquished the -watch to Biorn, and at dawn he was aroused by the old viking. - -"Come, Jarl! A squall from the west has broken on us, and it is -daybreak." - -Sigurd followed him to the deck. There he found the sail -close-reefed, and the "Crane" running before a squall of wind and -driving snow. There was nothing to be done, however, save to await -the sunrise. - -As full day broke, but dark and gloomy, with flurries of snow, a -shout went up, for not half a mile distant lay Ketil's ship, also -running before the wind. - -"Shake out the reefs, men! We may as well take chances, and make -sure of her." - -Biorn stopped him, however, and pointing ahead, showed Sigurd a dull -gray line. "England, Jarl, or Wales, rather! It would be useless to -try to board Ketil in this heavy sea; the ships would be smashed to -kindling-wood." - -Sigurd reluctantly acknowledged that the old viking was right, so he -contented himself with following the other ship, while with every -hour the Welsh coast grew plainer ahead of them. The sky cleared -off, but the sea was still running too high for any attempt at -boarding. - -"I know where we are, Jarl," called out the helmsman. "Do you -remember that great headland, Biorn?" - -"That I do," exclaimed the viking. "See how the coast falls away -there, Sigurd? That is Wales, where live my own people, and we are -entering a great firth which goes far up into the country, and on the -right is the Saxon kingdom of Wessex. I recall it well. Six years -ago we sailed up and plundered a town they call Bristol. It must be -that Ketil means to land along the Saxon coast." - -Sigurd gazed with interest on the lofty cliffs, but soon they turned -the last headland, and Ketil pointed his ship due east. Sigurd saw -that they were indeed in a great firth; the "Crane" easily held her -own with the fleeing ship, but did not approach closer. - -"If they succeed in getting ashore, whither would they take the Lady -Astrid, think you?" inquired Sigurd. - -"To King Ethelred, doubtless," answered Biorn, "at London, in the -east. However, they cannot escape us now." - -"Arm yourselves, men!" ordered Sigurd, a little later, "the sea is -falling fast, and we will run aboard." - -Ketil, however, saw this also, and evidently resolved to take no -chances, for he turned in toward the coast, plying his oars -desperately. The two ships, a quarter of a mile apart, drew into the -coast and ran along the low shores. - -Suddenly Biorn gave a cry of fury. "He will escape us yet!" Ketil's -ship, just beyond a headland, was turned in toward the shore. The -helmsman turned the "Crane" and the sail was run down as the other -ship disappeared. Under all her oars, the "Crane" darted ahead, and -there before them lay the ship of Ketil, while the crew were leaping -out. A band of armed men from the town above ran down and met Ketil. - -Sigurd did not wait to see the meeting, but as the "Crane" scraped on -the sand and ice he leaped overboard, followed by Biorn, and waded -ashore. Amid Ketil's party Sigurd had seen the flutter of a dress, -and he knew there was little use searching the other ship, so he -dashed up the hill. Suddenly, however, a flight of arrows fell among -Sigurd's men, and the shout rose of "Death to the sea-wolves!" - -Sigurd, with Biorn and another man, was far ahead of the rest, -running at top speed. As the sudden attack was made, a number of -Saxons sprang out from ambush and surrounded the three. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -AT ETHELRED'S COURT. - -Sigurd flung his hand up and sheathed his sword. The Saxons paused, -and one of their number stepped forward. - -"You will get little plunder here, vikings, and many hard knocks," he -called, "so you had best put to sea again." - -"We are no vikings or sea-wolves," answered Sigurd. "I am Jarl -Sigurd Buisson, one of King Olaf's men from Dublin, and am in pursuit -of these men who fled up to the town. Two days since they abducted a -noble lady from Olaf's own castle, whom I seek to rescue." - -The Saxon leader gave an exclamation of astonishment, and at this -moment Sigurd's men ran up and joined him. The Saxon bows were -raised, but the leader checked them. - -"You look over-young to be a Jarl," he declared, "but if your story -is true we have indeed done ill. The leader of those men said he was -pursued by sea-robbers, and that he was on his way to King Ethelred; -so, although he was a Northman, we gave him safe conduct. What proof -have you of your tale?" - -Sigurd, who was in despair at this unexpected check, knew that it was -necessary to win the Saxon over. "Does my ship look like a viking -dragon?" he said calmly. "Were we vikings, we would not be abroad -this time of year. See, I wear the Cross, and my men are from Olaf's -courtmen, as you may see from their shields and weapons. We are -Christians all, and no followers of Thor." - -At this the Saxon stepped up and shook his hand heartily. "Your -pardon, Jarl, but I am warden of the coast, and must do my utmost to -defend it from sea-rovers. I am Jarl Edmund, and now I recall that -in the other party was a woman, or rather girl." - -"She is a noble lady of Denmark," said Sigurd, not thinking it wise -to tell Astrid's real position. "Now, cannot we follow these men to -the town?" - -Jarl Edmund turned. "Of course, but they told us they were on the -King's business, and I sent a man with them to get them horses at -once. I am indeed sorry for this, Jarl." - -"You but did your duty," replied Sigurd, "and there is no help for -it." He looked at Biorn: "What is your counsel, old friend?" - -"Ketil will push forward to London," replied Biorn, "so I think you -had best follow him with the Jomsborg men, and try to catch him. I -will take the others and the 'Crane,' and proceed by sea to London." - -"Good!" Sigurd turned to Edmund again. "I suppose we can procure -horses in the town yonder?" - -"Yes," replied the Saxon, eager to repair his mistake, "I will myself -go with you." - -Sigurd picked out his old Jomsborg men, and saying farewell to Biorn, -made all haste to reach the town. As they entered, Edmund dispatched -several men, one of whom returned with the news that Ketil's party -had left ten minutes before. At this Edmund made a gesture of dismay. - -"I fear you will not come up with them, Jarl Sigurd, for they took -the best horses to be found. However, we will see what we can do." - -In half an hour Sigurd and his men were riding east, Edmund having -furnished them with a guide. They pushed on for many days, but found -that Ketil kept well ahead, commandeering the best horses as he went, -on the plea of the King's business. At Malmesbury and Wantage, -Sigurd and his men were surprised at the size of the cities and the -splendid civilization they found there, which was far ahead of any -that the north could boast of. Wessex and Sussex had not been -ravaged by the Danes for many years, and the country amazed them by -its beauty and fertility. - -"If these Saxons had kings like ours," remarked Sigurd to his men, -"King Svein would have a hard time indeed before he could take the -throne of England." - -At Reading they found that Ketil was only half a day ahead of them so -they pushed on to London with all speed, reaching it in the evening. -Next morning Sigurd took his way to the palace. - -Here he gave his name and title to the chamberlain, and was shown -into the great hall, around which ran a buzz of astonishment as he -appeared. Sigurd had filled out amazingly in the last few months, -and was large for his age; he wore his golden helm, a blue cloth -kirtle and waist, and the great sword that Olaf had given him, its -hilt wound with gold and the scabbard thick with carved ivory. As he -walked up the hall, he removed his helm and let his long golden hair -stream over his shoulders. - -The chamberlain led him to the high-seat, and Sigurd knelt a moment -before King Ethelred, then rose. The king was a pale, crafty-looking -man, and as Sigurd looked around his heart sank for an instant, for -among the courtiers he beheld the mocking face of Ketil. - -After the chamberlain announced his name and title, the King arose. -"Greeting, Jarl Sigurd! The men of King Olaf are ever welcome at our -court, and we look forward to another visit from himself. Well I -remember Olaf, who spent a year or two with us, and I would fain see -him again. You look young to hold a Jarlship under so great a man!" - -Sigurd answered fittingly, then said, "My lord King, I ask your aid. -Among your men I see a certain Norseman, Ketil Gormson, who not long -since abducted a lady from the castle of King Olaf. I have followed -him closely, and since he is here, the Lady Astrid is not far away." - -King Ethelred looked surprised. "Why, what is this? The man Ketil -is a peaceful trader, and arrived here only yesterday. He has told -me nothing of any lady!" - -"Nevertheless," replied Sigurd firmly, "she is with him, and King -Olaf sent me to rescue her. I must crave your help, King Ethelred." - -The king ordered Ketil to stand forth, which he did, a sly smile upon -his face. Ethelred asked him what he knew of Sigurd's tale. - -"Nothing, my lord; I have no woman with me, and have but just arrived -by slow stages from the west coast where I was trading." - -Ethelred looked at Sigurd, and then the latter knew that he was being -made a mock of. No doubt the king had Astrid hid away, intending to -hold her for a hostage. - -"You see, Jarl Sigurd," said the king softly, "you must have been -mistaken in this man, who is a kind-hearted fellow indeed. Anything -that I can do to aid you will be done at once. Bring your men to the -palace, and you shall be given quarters here." - -At these words, and Ketil's mocking smile, Sigurd lost his temper. -Taking a step forward, he cried angrily: "There is no mistake, King -Ethelred, and well you know it! Think not that you will escape the -heavy hand of Olaf by smooth words, when he hears of this. As for -you, Ketil," Sigurd turned on the man, who shrank back at his blazing -eyes, "take heed to yourself! If I meet you outside the palace I -will slay you like the dog you are!" - -[Illustration: "_As for you, Ketil, take heed to yourself!_"] - -"You forget yourself, Jarl Sigurd," spoke out the king, sternly. "I -have promised you assistance in this matter, so bring your men to the -palace at once, and we will have search made for the lady." - -Sigurd rejoined his men with dismay in his heart. He knew only too -well that the King's command meant that he would be watched closely, -and he saw no way of rescuing Astrid. When he told the men the -result of his visit to court, they were as angry as he; but there was -no help for it, and in the afternoon they took up their quarters in -the palace. - -Ketil took good care to keep out of Sigurd's way. The Jomsvikings -wandered freely about the city, staring wonderingly in the shops, and -Sigurd bade them keep a sharp lookout for Astrid. The days passed -away, and Ethelred tried to soothe his visitors by a pretended search -of the city, and by soft words, but at last Sigurd determined to take -matters into his own hands. It was now the middle of February, and -Sigurd was impatient to return to King Olaf. - -Calling his men together after the evening meal, he said, "Men, if we -are to find Lady Astrid we must do it ourselves. I believe she is -held here in the palace, in the woman's wing; do you therefore hang -about that side, pretending to look in the shops. I myself will do -the same, and mayhap the Lady Astrid will either see us, or we will -light on some clue." - -Sigurd was treated with great honor, but when he went abroad he knew -that he was spied upon closely. The next day he visited the shops -near the women's quarters of the palace, and as he sauntered along -one of his men strolled up. - -"Come with me, Jarl," he whispered. Sigurd accompanied him, talking -and laughing, and the man said, "Look at the third window from the -end." - -Sigurd did so, and his heart gave a leap of joy. There, hanging from -a corner of the window, was a scrap of blue and gold cloth that he -knew had been taken from Astrid's scarf. As he looked up, a face -appeared, but at a quick sign of warning from him, it vanished. - -"Hurrah!" he cried, when he had regained his room, "we have found -her, sure enough! And now to rescue her." - -That same evening he heard a wild shout go up from his men, in the -next room, and a moment later Biorn strode into his room. Sigurd -greeted him with unbounded joy, then seeing Biorn's face half covered -with bandages, cried: - -"What is this? Wounded, Biorn?" - -The old viking smiled. "We met a Danish ship four days ago, Jarl, -and she stopped to talk with us." - -"Up to your old tricks, sea-wolf!" laughed Sigurd. "What did you -talk about?" - -"The price of swords, mainly," answered Skarde. "The Danes finally -decided that ours were better, so we gave them Ketil's old trading -ship and brought in the Dane with us; she is brand new, and as fast -as the 'Crane.' It was hard work, though, for I had only thirty men, -and they were double that. We lost ten killed, and half of us are -wounded; but that is no matter. Now for your story." - -Sigurd quickly outlined the position of himself and Astrid. When he -concluded, Biorn was silent for some time. - -"It is no light matter, Sigurd, to brave Ethelred; but I think we had -best carry off the Lady Astrid. Once aboard the 'Crane,' we would be -safe. But how to do the business?" - -"By craft only, Biorn. Astrid saw me to-day, and knows we are here. -How to get a message to her?" - -"That is easy enough. Do you write it, and I will shoot an arrow -into her window to-night." - -"Good! I never thought of that." Sigurd procured a bit of -parchment, and in a few minutes the message was ready. "I told her -that to-morrow night we would wait beneath her window. She must -contrive to let herself down, and if necessary we will fight our way -down to the 'Crane.' Is she below the bridge or above it?" - -"Below. I will go down to-morrow and bid the men be ready to receive -us. We must get some fresh water on board, too." - -An hour later Biorn returned. "The arrow flew straight, Jarl. I -waited a few minutes and saw a light cross her shutter thrice." - -Sigurd nodded. "Then she understands. Get the 'Crane' ready -to-morrow, and return by nightfall. Better have a boat or two at the -water-stairs, just at the end of this street." - -"Trust me, Jarl," said the old viking, and returned to the ship. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE FLIGHT FROM LONDON. - -The return of Biorn and the finding of Astrid happened so close -together that Sigurd determined to take advantage of his opportunity. -He saw the King twice a day, at meals, and on each occasion Ethelred -seated him near the high-seat and conversed affably with him; but -Sigurd felt that the iron hand was but concealed within a silken -glove, and that the King would soon find means to rid himself of this -troublesome Northman. - -The day after Biorn's arrival, at the noonday meal, Ethelred called -Sigurd to his side as usual. - -"How is the search progressing, Jarl? Have you any news yet?" - -Sigurd assumed a gloomy air. "I only wish I had some, King Ethelred. -My ship arrived last night, and I cannot long delay my return to King -Olaf, I fear." - -The King seemed unmistakably relieved, and Sigurd judged that his -visit to the shops the day before had not escaped the spies. Ketil -he had not seen since that first day, but as he always saw some of -his men whenever he left the palace, he believed the Norseman was -keeping close watch on him. - -That evening Biorn entered his room shortly after dark with a coil of -thin but strong rope and a light grapnel. - -"Is the 'Crane' in shape?" asked Sigurd eagerly. "We had best wait -an hour or two to let the streets get deserted." - -"Yes, all is ready, and two large boats are waiting at the stairs. -We are only three streets from the river, so the escape is open." - -"I'm not so sure about that," replied Sigurd uneasily. "If Ketil -discovers those boats there, and has been following you, as is -likely, we may have trouble yet. However, time enough for that when -it comes." - -An hour later there were few people in the streets, so Sigurd roused -his men and set out. - -"We had better not keep together," he said. "Three of you, with -Biorn, come with me; the others wait at the corner here. We will not -be long." - -So the four quickly made their way to the corner of the palace where -Astrid's window was located. A high wall enclosed the palace, with a -strip of garden inside; the palace itself had but two stories, Astrid -being on the upper. - -As they reached the wall, Biorn flung up the grapnel, which held, and -Sigurd went up the rope, hand over hand. Changing the rope to the -inside, he slid down, and stood beneath the window. - -All was dark above, but when he threw up a stone at the shutter, it -opened and something tumbled out. Catching it, Sigurd saw it was a -rope made of shreds of curtains; he held it firm, and a minute later -Astrid slid down and stood by his side. - -Sigurd greeted her with a silent handclasp, and led her to the wall. -Climbing up, he drew Astrid to the top, and next minute both stood in -the street. Old Biorn greeted Astrid heartily, and threw a dark -cloak over her dress; and without delay they started for the river. - -When they met the dozen men left by Sigurd, he sent them forward with -Biorn to get the boats ready, following with Astrid. Ten minutes -later they descended the stairs and pushed off, Astrid and Sigurd -standing in the prow of the first boat. - -"Hurrah! You are free at last, Astrid!" cried Sigurd, in a low tone. -At the same instant the girl pulled him sharply backward, and a spear -whizzed under his arm. A yell arose, and a dark mass in front of -them resolved itself into a large boat full of men. - -Sigurd threw all concealment aside. "Pull, men, pull!" he shouted. -One of the men sank back with a spear through him, and with that the -other boat crashed into Sigurd's. - -Standing in the prow, Sigurd cut with his sword at the foremost man, -while Biorn endeavored to ward off the other craft. Then Ketil's -mocking laugh sounded in Sigurd's ears, and as his blow fell -harmlessly on the other's shield, a boat-hook caught his byrnie and -all but jerked him overboard. - -"You have tough bark, friend Sigurd," cried Ketil, as the boy -staggered. Sigurd tried in vain to free himself from the hook, as -Ketil pulled, so he cried: - -"Take Astrid on board and set sail, Biorn!" - -Instead of resisting the boat-hook, Sigurd gave a leap forward into -the prow of Ketil's boat. As he did so, Biorn pulled away, with a -cry of dismay from Astrid, and left Sigurd amid his foes. - -When the boy sprang on board, Ketil was pushed back, and he -staggered. Sigurd cut him down with a single blow, disengaged the -hook from his steel shirt, and looked around. He had forgotten the -second boat, and this was right alongside. Striking down a second -man, Sigurd leaped back among his own followers. - -"To the 'Crane,' men! Follow Biorn!" - -The men needed no urging, and they soon caught up with the first -boat. Looking back, Sigurd saw that they were not pursued, for the -others were demoralized at the loss of their leader. - -"All safe, Sigurd?" cried Biorn, as they came up. - -"All safe," the boy replied, "and I think I have paid Ketil for his -villainy. At any rate he won't bother us for some time. Row fast, -men, there is no use trying to hide now." - -Shouts rose on the air behind them, and they saw torches darting to -and fro. Soon they passed below London Bridge, and in a few minutes -were aboard the "Crane," the men on board sending up a hearty cheer. - -Sigurd led Astrid to the cabin, while Biorn took charge of the ship, -whose oars were already out. "Now, Astrid, tell me your story," said -Sigurd, as they sat down. - -"Well, about midnight that night, Ketil came to my room with a note -in Runic saying that you were wounded and to come at once. I thought -it strange that you should send him, but went willingly enough. - -"As soon as we were outside the palace his men seized me and carried -me on the ship. There I was freed, but locked in the cabin. I -scratched a few words on a piece of wood, for I heard Ketil say they -were going to England, and then heard you come up alongside. I threw -the wood out of the window, and called, but Ketil ran in and threw a -cloak over my head." - -"After that I was treated well enough. After we landed, Ketil made -me promise not to escape if he left me free; and when we got to -London King Ethelred was very nice to me, giving me women to wait on -me, and many gifts." - -"The villain!" cried Sigurd angrily, and he told Astrid all the king -had said. - -"I was kept in my room," continued Astrid, "but I had nothing to -complain of. Then one day I saw you in the shops across the way, and -you know the rest. I tore up some curtains to make a rope with, and -here I am." - -Sigurd laughed. "Well, shall we stay here, or go out on deck?" - -"Out on deck, by all means. But why do your men call you Jarl?" - -Sigurd told her of his last interview with Olaf, and Astrid said, -casting down her eyes: "Well, I suppose after this you will hold me -so far below you that--" - -"Nonsense," broke in Sigurd, laughing, "get on deck and stop this -foolery!" - -Astrid gayly ran out on deck, and Sigurd followed. They were -speeding swiftly down the Thames, which is seldom frozen in winter, -and all sound of pursuit was lost. As there was nothing to be seen -in the faint starlight, Astrid went to bed, Sigurd giving the cabin -up to her, while he took charge of the ship, Biorn relieving him -after a few hours. - -At sunrise they were well at sea, and as there were plenty of furs on -board, the men were warmly clad. Suddenly Sigurd, looking back, -cried out: - -"Look there, Biorn! What ship is that?" - -The old viking gave a grim laugh, and then Sigurd recollected the -ship which Biorn had taken on his way to London. - -"She had only fifteen men in her, Jarl, for I could spare no more -from the 'Crane'; but yesterday I picked up a score of Norsemen in -London, and as they were willing to take service with Olaf, they are -now on board. She may come in handy." - -"Yes, indeed," agreed Sigurd, "and she is a handsome ship, too. -Where did you get the men, Biorn?" - -"Oh!" replied the other, carelessly, "they were prisoners of -Ethelred's, so I invited them to take a cruise. They were not -closely watched, so there they are!" - -"What have you done!" broke out Sigurd, in dismay. "Don't you know -that this will bring all the Saxon forces down on us?" - -Biorn shrugged his shoulders. "There were only two of Ethelred's -longships lying in the water, Jarl, and seeing that they lay -unwatched, some of the men rowed over last night and all but hewed -away their masts." - -Sigurd seized the old viking's hand. "Pardon, Biorn, I might have -known you better. That explains why we were not followed; now what -shall we do?" - -"Well, it is madness to put to sea in this weather, but there is no -help for it. I would suggest that we either go north to Mercia or -Northumberland and winter there, or else strike over to Flanders and -go overland to Denmark. We would be safe enough in the north of -England, for there are many vikings there and Ethelred's power is -weak, to say the least." - -"Then let us head for there, gather a few more men if possible, and -strike for Denmark or else Flanders." - -This was decided on finally, for Sigurd wished to take the captured -ship with him, but his men were too few to manage both vessels in -case of danger. So they coasted along the shore of East Anglia, then -turned north, past the Wash, and came to the Humber River. They met -with no storms on the way, though the weather was cold enough. - -Just before reaching the Humber, the "Crane" stopped at a small river -for fresh water. There were no habitations in sight, so Sigurd and -Astrid went ashore while the casks were being filled. - -"It is good to be on land again, Sigurd!" cried Astrid, after racing -and beating him to the top of a small hill. - -"I've been at sea so long that I don't notice it much," laughed -Sigurd spreading his fur cloak in the snow for Astrid to sit on. - -As they rested, looking over the broad expanse of snow, dotted with -trees and forests that spread inland, they heard the ringing call of -a war-horn from the ships. - -"Come on, Astrid!" cried Sigurd, starting up, "something must be -wrong at the ships!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -ALFRED OF MERCIA. - -They dashed down the hill, and in a few minutes were through the -trees and on the river bank. They found Biorn drawing up his men. - -"Why, what's the matter, Biorn?" - -"I am not sure, Jarl, but look up the ice yonder." - -He pointed up the frozen bed of the little river, and Sigurd saw a -large party of armed men, pulling a sledge, running toward them. -Sigurd examined them for a minute. - -"I don't think they mean to attack us, Biorn, or they would not have -that sledge. They look like Saxons, so best be ready." - -By this time more men had arrived from the ships, and as the Saxons -approached, Sigurd saw that there were some fifty men in the party. -Finding the Northmen waiting, they stopped running, and one, better -dressed than the rest, in a bearskin mantle and helmet, hastened on. - -As he came near, Astrid said, "Why, Sigurd, he isn't any older than -you are! And you were afraid of him!" - -Sigurd made no reply save a smile, for, indeed, the Saxon was only a -youth, but a noble-looking one. Nearly as tall as Sigurd, he was not -so broad, but his face was frank, and attracted the young Jarl at -once. - -"Are you Danes or Norsemen?" called the stranger. - -"Norsemen," answered Sigurd, "and you are Saxons, I take it." - -"Right you are," laughed the boy, with a glance over his shoulder. -"Are you plundering the country?" - -"Nay," answered Sigurd. "We are Christians. Bid your men stand -back, for our arrows lie loosely on the strings." - -The boy laughed again, as if it were a good joke, and turning, waved -to his men, who halted. - -"Let me explain," he said. "I am Alfred, son of Jarl Alfric of -Mercia, and with me is Sigrid my sister. Briefly, we are flying from -the men of King Ethelred; will you assist us?" - -Sigurd, suspecting a trap, looked keenly at the boy; but his gaze was -met squarely, and Sigurd's suspicions vanished. "Where is your -sister, and your pursuers?" he asked. - -Alfred pointed to the sledge. "My sister is ill, and we have to -carry her." His face suddenly became serious. "Hasten your reply, -sir Norseman, for God's sake! The King's men are not half a mile -behind, and there are nigh three score of them, while half of mine -are wounded or sick." - -Sigurd stepped out and gripped his hand. "No time for talking, then! -Take your sister and the sick or wounded men out to my ships, and let -all your fighting men join mine. Take charge of him, Astrid, and use -the boats quickly." - -The boy called up his men, dividing them as Sigurd had ordered, and -joining the Norsemen with twenty Saxons. - -"We will give Ethelred's men a sharp lesson, Biorn. Do you post the -men as you see fit." - -A hundred yards up the river was a bend, and running toward this, -Biorn motioned the men to hide behind the dry bushes that stood along -the banks, while he ran forward to reconnoiter. A minute later he -returned at full speed. - -"Here they are," he cried. "Pass the word to wait till they come -opposite, then loose arrows and at them with axes." - -Barely had Biorn sunk out of sight when the pursuing party appeared, -three-score Saxons under two leaders. "Pick off the leaders, men," -whispered Sigurd, and as the party came between the two bands of -Norsemen, Biorn's horn sounded, and a cloud of arrows poured into the -compact body of Saxons. At the same time the vikings seized their -swords and axes and ran forward. - -The Saxons resisted bravely, but their leaders had fallen at the -first fire, and after a minute of sharp hand-to-hand fighting they -broke and fled. - -Sigurd had headed his men, engaging a tall Saxon in single combat. -The other wounded Sigurd badly in the shoulder at the first exchange -of blows; and, dropping his shield, Sigurd grasped his great sword in -both hands and rushed his foe. At the first blow the other's -shield-arm fell, numb with the shock; at the second his sword flew -from his hand and he slipped on the ice, falling heavily. - -Seeing that the enemy had broken, Sigurd paused and shouted: - -"Back, men, back! We only want to give them a lesson, not to -slaughter them!" - -His own men obeyed, but Alfred's Saxons drove on after the fugitives, -and Sigurd could hardly blame them. Then he turned to his foe; the -man lay looking up, awaiting the death stroke. - -"Get up," exclaimed Sigurd with a laugh, "I am no murderer!" - -With an amazed expression, the Saxon slowly got up, and then, seizing -Sigurd's hand in his, knelt and kissed it. "Thanks, lord," he said, -"you are the first who ever bested Wulf at the sword, and if you will -take him, he will serve you right well!" - -Sigurd smiled, but faintly; and Biorn was just in time to catch him -in his arms. The wounded shoulder was streaming with blood, and he -had suddenly turned faint. - -While Biorn held him and the other men crowded around, Wulf tore off -his woolen tunic and deftly bound up the wound, Biorn watching him -suspiciously; then, taking Sigurd's feet while Biorn tenderly held -his body, the two carried him back to the shore. - -As they approached, Astrid ran up. - -"Sigurd! Is Sigurd hurt?" - -"It is nothing," replied Biorn, "only a wound in the shoulder. He'll -be all right in ten minutes." - -Wulf, who had wounded the boy, now surprised Biorn by his tenderness. -Setting the boy with his back to an ice-hummock, he bathed his face -with snow, and Sigurd opened his eyes. - -"Keep quiet," growled Biorn, as he struggled to rise, "I will attend -to the embarking, and you can rest for a space." - -By the time the water casks were aboard Alfred and the Saxons had -returned, and the Saxon boy seemed genuinely sorry for his rescuer's -mishap. All then embarked, and Biorn divided the men between the two -ships. - -On the "Crane" he took the Jomsvikings, Olaf's courtmen, and a dozen -Saxons; the Norse prisoners and thirty Saxons went on board the other -ship. In an hour the sails were hoisted, and the ships bore away -from the land, heading east. - -Sigurd sat on the forecastle of the "Crane," Astrid and the two -Saxons near him. "Now tell me your story," said Sigurd, giving his -own name and Astrid's. - -"Our father was the Jarl of Mercia," began Alfred, "but King Ethelred -has always been jealous of his popularity, and has persecuted him -unceasingly. Three weeks since a party of armed men appeared to -seize our father, but he fled to a Danish ship on the coast, and she -took him off. My elder brother Alfgar was taken and blinded." - -Astrid and Sigurd gave a cry of horror, but Alfred smiled sadly. -"You do not know of what Ethelred is capable, my friends. In his -present condition Alfgar is unfit to become Jarl, thus being as good -as dead in the King's opinion. - -"My father had barely time to send a man to warn us at Lincoln, and -we fled from home just in time to get to the fens and escape. Some -fourscore men, all devoted servants of my father, fled with us. -Twice Ethelred's men came upon us, and we beat them off, but wounds -and sickness thinned my men, and these are all I have left. Last -week Sigrid came down with fever, and we had to fly again; but this -time, thanks to you, we are safe. We will never forget that we owe -our lives to you, Jarl Sigurd!" - -Astrid immediately took charge of the sick girl. Thanks to his -temperate life, Sigurd's wound promised to heal rapidly, and the man -Wulf proved invaluable. He had been educated in a monastery, and was -skilled in leech-craft, and seemed devoted to the boy Jarl. - -"I thought to be killed at once," he told Sigurd, who had summoned -him. "You are the best swordsman, as well as the only merciful -viking, whom I ever met. My life is yours, Jarl, if so you will have -it." The man's words were so sincere that Sigurd accepted his offer -gladly, for he was an expert swordsman as well as leech, and could -both read and write, which was no small accomplishment. - -A council was now held on the "Crane's" forecastle, to decide on what -course they should pursue. They finally came to the conclusion that -they would run south and cross to Flanders, where Alfred and Sigrid -would probably find their father. As soon as this course was fixed -on, Biorn took charge of the "Snake," as the other vessel was named, -transferring to her that evening. - -It proved well, indeed, that he did so, for during the night a gale -swept down out of the northeast, and bore them helplessly before it. -The Saxons on the "Snake," most of whom had never been to sea before, -were of little use, and even Alfred was sick, though Sigrid escaped; -but there was nothing to do save to keep the ships before the wind. -It was bitterly cold, but as the Norsemen did not mind this much, and -the girls were well wrapped up, no one suffered greatly. - -Sigurd had no fears for the two ships, for both were new and rode the -waves easily. The ships of the vikings could only sail with a fair -or a side wind, and as they would be driven far past Flanders unless -the gale broke up soon, the four discussed the situation that evening -in the "Crane's" cabin. - -"We are certainly getting all the storms we want," laughed Sigurd to -Astrid, as he came in and shook off the snow. "Shall we take the -chances and head around for the southern end of England?" - -"No!" cried Alfred. "Cannot we make for Normandy? There are many -vikings there, and it is settled by Norsemen." - -Sigurd shook his head. "Not unless the wind shifts." - -"I see," broke in Astrid, "that you are thinking about getting me -back home. I admit that I would like to see Vendland again, but why -don't you just take the simplest course, Sigurd, run before the wind, -then around England and back to King Olaf?" - -"It sounds easy," laughed Sigurd, "and that is what I would do if I -were alone. But with you and Sigrid on board I don't like to take -unnecessary risks." - -Sigrid laughed as Alfred, in the throes of seasickness, seized his -cloak and left the cabin. "Don't mind us, Jarl; head for Ireland by -all means!" - -"Well," responded Sigurd, "we'll see how things look in the morning. -I'm going to turn in now and get some sleep." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -IN BRETLAND. - -The morning broke dark and gloomy, with no land in sight. Sigurd, -concluding that they had been driven below the Thames, if not below -the end of England, ordered the helmsman to steer due west, and while -he was unable to communicate with the "Snake," he saw Biorn follow -his example at once, and knew that he understood. - -The gale had now lessened to a steady wind from the northeast, -interspersed with flurries of snow, and both ships drove steadily -along under half-canvas. - -For two days they held this course, and then Sigurd held a shouted -conference with Biorn. It seemed evident that they had been carried -south of England, so the prows were turned north, and the next -morning land appeared. Alfred had found his sea-legs by this time, -while Sigrid was rapidly gaining strength and color from the salt -sea-air, which drove the marsh fever out of her. She was a very -pretty girl, indeed, with her blue eyes and long flaxen hair, and she -and Astrid were firm friends from the start. - -Wulf, who was now more a friend than a captive, was a great favorite -with all on board, even with Alfred's Saxons. On the morning that -land was sighted, he drew Sigurd aside. - -"Jarl, we must have fresh water at once. Three of the casks were -loosened by the storm and have run out; there is only a cask or two -of ale left." - -Sigurd made a wry face. "Well, that will keep us from thirst, and -the men like it well enough, though I have little taste for it; but -perhaps we can get water from some river along the coast here, or -from the 'Snake.'" - -Wulf disagreed. "All Ethelred's Jarls and Thanes will be looking for -us, you may be sure, and as soon as we are sighted the housecarls -will be poured down wherever we land." - -Sigurd thought it over, and finally signaled the "Snake." Biorn drew -alongside, but when Sigurd mentioned the shortness of water, the old -viking gave a cry of dismay. - -"Why, we thought to get some from you! Never mind, we are drawing -into the coast, and I will make a landing and find out where we are. -We cannot be very far from South Wales, and once there it will be -plain sailing, for the people there are of my own race, and I have -not forgotten the language of the Cymry." - -So they steered toward the shore, which was high and rocky. After -coasting along for two or three hours, a large bay was revealed, half -frozen over, with a hamlet nestling on the cliffs above. - -"They are fishing folk, most like," said Alfred, "but there is no -sign of a river hereabouts. We may have to melt up some of that ice!" - -Biorn's ship now drew carefully in, and broke through the thin outer -edge of ice. When the "Snake" would go no farther, Biorn leaped out -after testing the ice with oars, and a dozen men followed him to the -shore. They found the hamlet in great consternation, dreading the -forays of the pirates, but Biorn soon appeased their fears, buying a -goodly quantity of fish from them, and returned to the ships. - -The "Snake" drew alongside the "Crane." "No fresh water, Jarl," -reported Biorn. "Everything is frozen fast, and these people melt -ice for their needs. They say there is a river half a mile inland, -but we dare not risk it." - -"I would advise that if possible we bear around South Wales and reach -up for the Northern Kingdom. It will only be a day's difference, and -we won't find much help among the people on this coast. We might -take in some ice-cakes, in case the ale gives out." - -"How long does it take to reach North Wales?" asked Sigurd. - -"We ought to get there to-morrow night, or the next day at latest," -replied Biorn, and Sigurd waved assent. The ships were rowed up to -the ice and a supply of this was taken on board each ship; then the -sails were hoisted, half the oars put out, and at full speed they -passed along the coast, for Sigurd was determined not to be caught in -another tempest. - -Next morning, however, the Land's End was reached, and the prows -turned north. By nightfall the land was in sight ahead, and early -next morning they drew close into shore. - -"I know where we are," shouted Biorn to Sigurd. "Do you follow me, -Jarl, and we will speedily come to an open river, unless I am greatly -mistaken." - -Before noon, indeed, a great shout of joy went up from the men, for -there before them was a bay, with an open river flowing down. True, -the channel was narrow and dangerous for ships, for the ice nearly -met on either side; but the "Crane" followed the "Snake" closely, and -they entered the channel. Half a mile from the mouth this widened -out and turned suddenly; as the "Snake" reached the bend Sigurd heard -Biorn's war-horn, and saw his men arming themselves in haste. - -"To arms, men!" he shouted, "and be ready for whatever may befall!" -Alfred quickly donned his armor and stood by Sigurd in the prow. As -they in turn came around the bend, they saw the reason for Biorn's -preparations; there before them lay two large ships, moored for the -winter on shore, with a camp close by. From their appearance they -were Danes, and high above, on a neighboring knoll, could be seen the -roofs of a town of goodly size. - -As the "Crane" came alongside the "Snake," Sigurd saw that the -vikings on shore were also arming and assembling around their two -ships. - -"This is the town of Neath, Jarl," cried Biorn, as he leaped on board -the "Crane," "and it was here that I was born. What ships these are -I know not; shall we draw in and hail them?" - -"That would be best," replied Sigurd. "Doubtless they are some -vikings who are wintering here, but it is strange, indeed, that they -are allowed to remain so near a town, unless they came on a peaceful -errand." - -Sigurd ordered the men to row as close to shore as they could. The -ship stopped two or three hundred yards from it, for it was -impossible to break through the ice, and Sigurd blew a loud blast on -a peace-horn. In answer came one from the camp, and a dozen men left -the two ships and started over the ice toward the "Crane." - -As these came near, Astrid uttered a little cry and caught Sigurd's -arm. "Oh, Fairhair, look at that big man in front! That is Halfdan, -the brother of Queen Gunhild, and my own uncle!" - -Sigurd looked closely at the man, remembered him well, for he had -seen him often while the Jornsborg men were at King Svein's court. -Halfdan stopped just beyond spear-cast of the "Crane." - -"Who are you, and do you come in peace or war?" he called. - -"Good-morning!" laughed Sigurd, "don't you know your friends, Jarl?" - -The other started, looked keenly at the ship, and ran forward. -"Surely, it is Sigurd Fairhair!" he cried, as he came near. "And by -the eye of Odin! Am I dreaming or is this Astrid?" - -"Astrid it is, uncle!" laughed the girl, jumping down on the ice and -throwing her arms around his neck. The Jarl struggled to disengage -himself, and cried in mock dismay: - -"Help; help, are you trying to make me captive? Let loose! Respect -my dignity!" - -Sigurd followed Astrid to the ice, and clasped Halfdan's hand. "Be -careful, uncle," laughed Astrid, "Sigurd is your equal in dignity -now!" - -Sigurd nodded at the surprised look of the Dane. "Yes, I am one of -Olaf Tryggveson's men now, Jarl, and he made me a Jarl lately, -although I am altogether too young for such an honor." - -"Nonsense, nonsense!" replied Halfdan, his merry eyes gleaming with -happiness, "you are the handsomest Jarl I ever saw in my life, upon -my word! But come up to the camp." - -"Wait," said Sigurd, turning to his ships. "Alfred, do you and -Sigrid join us. Wulf, you and Biorn take charge of the ships and lay -them up on shore, there beside the others. We are with friends." - -As Alfred and Sigrid climbed down to the ice, the young Jarl -presented them to Halfdan, who greeted them heartily. - -"I have heard of your father's misfortune," he exclaimed, "and I was -sorry, indeed, for I fought against him three or four years ago, and -he was a noble foeman. However, he is safe in Flanders now, and is -like to return before long." - -"Why, what do you mean?" cried Alfred, in surprise. - -"Come along to the camp and I'll tell you." Halfdan led the way to -the shore. "It's too cold to be standing out here talking." - -As they entered the camp, the news spread that a party of Jomsvikings -were among the arrivals, and a loud blast went up from the horns, -while the Danes met them with shouts of joy, for the men of Jomsborg -were prime favorites with King Svein's men. Sigurd found several -whom he knew, while Astrid was met with fresh cheers. As they -entered the large hut of Halfdan, the Jarl drove the men off. - -"Get out of here!" he cried. "Go down and help stow the ships up on -land beside ours. We have much to talk over here, and would be left -in peace." - -With a last cheer, the men vanished, and Halfdan closed the door. - -"Here is food and water, friends, if you are hungry." - -"We have plenty of food, but a drink of water would not be amiss," -answered Sigurd. "And now, how come you here, in Wales?" - -"First make yourselves comfortable." Halfdan piled furs along the -wall, for Astrid and Sigrid, while he and the two boys sat on the -long wooden bench. "Well, of course you remember the oath that Svein -made that night? He wasn't in such a hurry as you Jomsvikings were, -but he has been making big preparations. He sent me here right after -the news of Hiorunga Bay arrived, for he had counted on your men -making a descent on Ethelred from the west as well as from -Northumbria, where he himself will land in the spring or summer. - -"I arrived here a month or two ago, and have arranged matters with -Idwal ap Meirig, the King of North Wales. What barbarous names these -Welsh people have!" - -"Probably they think ours just as bad," laughed Sigrid, "for they -hate everything Saxon; and as for your Norse names, I am sure they -used to sound harsh, even to us!" - -"Well, in any case, King Idwal is up in the town yonder, has agreed -to join us, and we see him nearly every day. Now, tell me something -about yourself, Sigurd." - -It was late when Sigurd finished his tale, so Halfdan, who had given -orders meanwhile, showed the two girls to a hut that had been hastily -fitted up for them, and shared his own with the boys for the night. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -IN WINTER QUARTERS. - -Next morning Halfdan's men joined forces with the new arrivals, and -got the two ships up on the shore, dismantling and unloading them, -while parties of men hastened out to the surrounding woods, and -returned with great quantities of firewood and timber, with which -fresh huts were built. - -This was finished by evening, for Halfdan had a hundred and fifty -men, and many hands made light labor. For several days the Norsemen -rested quietly, for they had many wounded, and some of the Saxons -were still down with fever. Sigrid, however, was now almost well, -and the jovial roughness of Halfdan amused her and brought the roses -back to her cheeks. - -Sigurd and Alfred wished to visit the town above, and if possible to -take up their quarters there, but Halfdan discouraged them from doing -so. - -"King Idwal watches us sharp enough, for he has suspicions of every -Northman within a hundred miles. One cannot blame him, either; the -vikings have ravaged poor Bretland terribly, destroying monasteries -and towns, and burning and plundering. Your own man Biorn is a -sample; he was carried off in his youth. - -"As for visiting the town, it is not worth while. There is nothing -there save a great castle and a cluster of dirty little houses, and -in any case Idwal has forbidden our men to enter the town. Once a -week the country folk come down here with their market stuff, and -Idwal sends us ale by the cask. Never fear, he will be down pretty -soon to see for himself who these new vikings are." - -For two weeks they remained in camp, seeing nothing of the Welsh -king, but all were greatly interested in the people, who brought -fresh meat and food into camp once a week. Indeed, the vikings' camp -at these times assumed the appearance of a fair, for most of the men -made small objects which the country people took in exchange, and -many merchants set up permanent booths inside the camp. The Welsh -people were smaller by far than the Norsemen or Danes, and their -bright, quick eyes and black straight hair contrasted strangely with -the Northmen and Saxons, most of whom were fair. - -Sigurd and Alfred had at first feared that the Saxons and Danes, -hereditary enemies, would not mingle well; but their fears proved to -be unfounded. Halfdan discovered from the country people that in the -forests to the west, only a few miles distant, wolves were a terrible -scourge; so the men set to work and made skis for themselves, and -even Sigrid learned to use the "snow-skates," as the Saxons called -the long wooden runners. In the second week of their stay the four -young people and Halfdan took a score of men, leaving the camp in -charge of Biorn, and for three days went off on a wolf-hunt in the -forest. - -On their return Biorn told them that word had arrived in their -absence from King Idwal, who intended to visit them on the following -day, with all his court. Great preparations were made for his -reception. Pine boughs were brought in from the forest, with which -the huts were decorated gayly, and Halfdan's large hut was hung with -tapestries and cloths, which Sigurd found in the cargo of the vessel -which Biorn had captured. - -All the men rubbed up their armor and weapons, and when in the -morning the Welsh were seen winding down the hill, the force was -drawn up in three divisions, the Danes, Norsemen and Saxons grouping -themselves together under the standards of Halfdan, Sigurd and -Alfred. Presently the Welsh arrived in the valley leading to the -camp, and their coming was greeted by a loud burst from the horns of -the vikings. - -[Illustration: "_They were greeted by a loud burst from the horns of -the vikings._"] - -Leading the way came a troop of archers, behind whom, mounted on -small shaggy ponies, rode the King and his court. Idwal was a larger -man than most of his followers, with keen black eyes and firm -features, shaved in the Danish fashion, with two long mustaches. As -he came up Halfdan advanced and greeted him. - -"Welcome, my lord King! It gives us pleasure to return the -hospitality of your castle!" - -Idwal smiled. "Truly, Jarl, I am glad that these men of yours are -not minded to foray my borders! We would have a hard time of it to -repel such a force as this. I heard that you had been joined by a -fresh band of vikings, so came down to assure myself that we were in -no danger." - -At this Halfdan motioned Sigurd and his friends to advance and -presented them to the King. The latter frowned as Alfred came -forward, and swept his eye over the band of Saxons. - -"It is many years since a Saxon has dared seek hospitality from the -Cymry, my lad," he remarked. Then Alfred told his story, and the -king's face cleared. - -"Well, to be frank, I have small love for Saxons, but since you are -enemies of Ethelred, that is another matter. Tell me, in case your -father returned home and I joined with King Svein, would you be for -or against me?" - -He gazed keenly at Alfred, but the lad met the look squarely, though -with a smile. "As to that, my lord King, I can only say that I would -fight for my own land against the invader, whoever he was; yet if my -father thinks it right to join King Svein, as well he may, I will be -at his side." - -Halfdan broke in with a laugh. "Don't be afraid, my lord, this Saxon -will not have to be feared for some time to come! I dare say that if -you make a foray against Ethelred this spring, he would stand as -stoutly at your side as any of your nobles. But come into the camp, -my lord." - -The vikings opened a path between their ranks, and Idwal led his men -through them. In an open space amid the huts, Halfdan had cleared -away the snow and stretched a large sail over a number of long -tables, while on either side blazed a dozen great fires. - -"By my faith," cried King Idwal, "this is a right royal reception, -Jarl! An open air banquet is far more to my liking than one inside -these huts, and these fires would warm an army!" - -So saying, the king tossed aside his fur cloak, and Sigurd saw that -he wore a light suit of armor beneath it. In the king's train were -some twoscore nobles, and a bishop, to whom Halfdan accorded the -place of honor. Among the Welsh, bishops and priests were honored -even above the king, and they found Bishop Dafydd a learned, kindly, -and intensely religious man, who was at once interested in Astrid and -Wulf, with both of whom he conversed at great length. - -It was well, indeed, that Halfdan had been hunting for three days -previously, for his stock of venison was heavily drawn upon. Great -fish were brought in, newly taken from the river below, and to the -delight of the Welshmen a huge boar's head, in the Saxon style, was -placed before the king. The vikings spared no pains to make the -feast a notable one, and to Sigurd's satisfaction the presence of -Bishop Dafydd and his men prevented it from becoming a wild carouse, -as the Norsemen were only too apt to make it. - -Before the King left that evening there was an exchange of gifts, as -was customary. Biorn and Jarl Halfdan, who were skillful smiths, had -the week before made a beautiful byrnie, of woven gold rings, and -this was presented to the king, who was delighted with it. - -He presented Halfdan with a great boar-hound, and to Sigurd he gave a -cloak, edged with fur, the scarlet cloth embroidered in silver -thread. As he had been informed of the presence of the two girls, he -had thoughtfully brought for them new outfits of garments suited to -their rank. - -Idwal returned to his castle that evening, and the bond between him -and the vikings was firmly cemented. He assured Jarl Halfdan that as -soon as King Svein landed in the east he would pour a flood of men -over the West Saxon earldoms, and Halfdan had no doubt that the -Danish king would fulfill the oath he had sworn at his accession -feast. - -After this the camp settled down for the remainder of the winter. -Every week hunting parties, on skis, brought in fresh meat from the -surrounding forests, while their arms were repaired and added to by -the smiths. The chiefs of the Northmen were all trained armorers, -and his work at the forge added greatly to Sigurd's strength and -widened his shoulders immensely. - -The two girls had a most enjoyable time, for every man in the camp -worshiped them. They joined the hunting parties, and many a wolf -fell before Astrid's bow, while Sigrid, though less warlike, took -part with equal zest. - -The time passed away rapidly, and in March the snows melted and the -four ships were run out and overhauled. They were freshly pitched -and calked, the masts were stepped, and at last they lay at anchor, -fully ready for the sea. - -King Idwal paid the camp a second visit, after which the chiefs -returned to the castle with him for a few days. He sent down -provisions of all kinds for the ships, and at the beginning of April, -Sigurd took leave of Halfdan. - -They gathered in the Jarl's hut on the evening before sailing. - -"Now, Jarl," said Sigurd, "I suppose you will take Astrid home with -you?" - -"That depends," replied Halfdan, quizzically, "upon whether she wants -to go or not! She seems to like wandering about the world, with a -knight-errant to rescue her and guard her from harm!" - -Astrid blushed, and cried, "That's not fair, uncle! I'm going home -with you--but listen! Why can't you come with us to King Olaf, and -go home by the north? It is just as short that way, and far less -dangerous!" - -The big Jarl leaped to his feet. "Hurrah! I never even thought of -that; I thought to go home around the south of England, but in truth -this way is as short, and I would fain see this King Olaf, whom you -praise so highly." - -It had been arranged that Halfdan was not to sail till the next week, -so he at once dashed out and called his chiefs together. Telling -them of the new plan, the men went to work, by torchlight, and -finished loading his two ships, and by morning all was ready. - -With a fair wind they reached out into the bay, and three mornings -later, after coasting along the Irish shore, they came in sight of -the towers of Dublin. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -AN AMBUSCADE. - -Sigurd was received with unbounded joy by King Olaf, for he had been -given up for lost in the storm that swept the coast just before his -departure. Halfdan stayed in Dublin for a week, then decided to -return home without further delay. - -Sigurd parted with Astrid sorrowfully, for they had become very dear -to each other in their wanderings, and although Alfred and Sigrid -remained with him, he knew that he would miss her greatly. - -"Never mind," he said, as they walked down to the ships, "we will -land in Norway this summer or fall, and be sure that I will turn up -at the Danish court, or in Vendland, not long after." - -"I'll be glad to see Vagn once more, when I get home," said Astrid. -"It will seem almost as good as seeing you." Halfdan had told them -of Vagn's safe arrival home, so that Jarl Eirik had evidently been -true to his word. - -Sigurd and Alfred, in the "Crane," accompanied Halfdan's ships for a -few miles; then, with a last farewell to Astrid, the "Crane" was -turned about, and sought Dublin again. - -Sigurd's duties were light at the court. Olaf's Irish kingdom was -not divided in districts, ruled by Jarls, as was Norway; so that -Sigurd had little to do beyond commanding the courtmen. Alfred had -not done homage to King Olaf, for he resolved to remain true to his -own land; nevertheless, the King gave him a command, and Alfred bore -himself well indeed. - -With the beginning of summer Olaf took all his warships out of the -water, scraped the bottoms, and gave them a thorough overhauling. -Thorir Klakke was still in Dublin, and Sigurd found that he was -urging the King to sail as soon as might be for Norway, saying that -the bonders would flock to him on his arrival, so that he need not -take so large a force. King Olaf, who thoroughly understood his -treachery, did not undeceive him; but to Sigurd he said, one night -after Thorir had left the hall: - -"Jarl, if ever a man deserved hanging, there is one. While you were -absent in England, two half-brothers of mine were driven from Norway -by Jarl Hakon, and came to me here. Thorir tried to bribe them, and -fortunately they let him think that they fell in with his plans, -which he disclosed fully. - -"Jarl Hakon, in truth, sent him here. Thorir will try to slay me on -the voyage," the King smiled grimly, "but if he fails, he is to get -me on shore at a certain point where Hakon will keep men in waiting -day and night. These men are to fall on me and kill me." - -Sigurd gave a cry of anger, and the priest, Thangbrand, growled out, -"Let me attend to him, Olaf! I'll warrant he does not trouble you -any more!" - -Olaf laughed heartily. "Thangbrand, you are more fitted for a viking -than for a priest! If I ever win Norway, I will send you to Iceland -to convert that island to Christ." - -The priest's face lit up. "Thanks, my King! It is a shame that so -fair an island as that should have no church of Christ in all its -length! It may be that I will meet resistance there, but methinks I -can hold my own." - -Sigurd laughed at this characteristic speech. Thangbrand was a -strange mixture of priest and warrior. Driven from home for his -quarrelsome disposition, he had joined himself to Olaf; but in -reality the man was deeply religious, and he was, indeed, the ideal -man to carry the Cross to heathen Iceland. In those days the Cross -and sword went together, and the old gods of Norway knew many martyrs -to their faith before Christianity was established in the land, in -later years. Right or wrong, this was the spirit of the age, for men -overlooked the fact that Christ's gospel was one of peace, and in -their enthusiasm and religious fervor they spread it with fire and -sword. - -There was much irregular fighting around Dublin, for the Irish kings -were ever striving to drive the Norsemen from their land. They -fought bravely, but their men were ill-armed compared with the -vikings, and Olaf had no trouble in preserving order for many miles -around the city. His brother-in-law, Olaf Kvaran, was away on a trip -to Iceland at this time. - -"How would you like, Jarl," said Olaf to Sigurd one evening, "to -visit King Brian Boroimhe? I am minded to make peace with him, for -when I go to Norway I want to leave Dublin in security, and my -brother is not to be relied on. A firm peace with King Brian for at -least a year would be an excellent thing." - -"I would be glad, indeed," replied Sigurd, "for I have heard so much -about the interior of Ireland that I would fain see it." - -"Well, I will have letters written in the Irish tongue," said the -King, "and do you take what men you will, together with an -interpreter. Be ready to start next Monday, and I think you will -find the King at Kells, a large place some thirty miles to the west. -However, I will provide a reliable guide." - -Thangbrand, the priest, hearing of the embassy, eagerly sought leave -to accompany Sigurd, which Olaf willingly granted. So, on the -following Monday, Sigurd, the priest, and a score of men left Dublin. -Their weapons were all in peace-bands, and an Irish captive was taken -as guide and interpreter, having promised to lead them to Kells in -exchange for his liberty. - -Sigurd laughed when Thangbrand joined the party. The huge priest -wore a byrnie under his gown, a light steel cap on his head, and at -his saddle-bow was shield and sword. - -"No one knows what may happen," he replied stoutly, to the boy's peal -of laughter, "we may be waylaid by these Irish thieves, or this guide -may lead us astray, and it is best to be prepared for anything." - -Kells was only a good day's march away, so they set forward briskly. -After reaching the bounds of Olaf's territory the road lay through -woods and swamps for a dozen miles; but toward evening they emerged -on an open plain, partly cultivated, and saw in the distance the -spires and towers of a large city. Several times they had been -stopped by bands of Irish, but their guide served them faithfully. - -Sigurd was amazed at sight of Kells. "Why, this is wonderful!" he -said. "I had no idea that there was such civilization so near to -Dublin!" - -Thangbrand smiled. "Kells has seldom been ravaged by vikings, for -many years; it is a strong place, with a great monastery in the town. -I have been here once before, and found that the land is beautiful -enough in times of peace, but in war-time it would be well-nigh -impossible to reach the city." - -Sigurd saw that this was so, as they approached, for on either side -of the road were defenses, and several stone castles came in sight. -Just at sunset they entered the gates of the town, and their guide -spurred ahead to find quarters for the men. - -As they passed through the streets they met with sour looks and loud -curses from the Irish, who hated the Northmen bitterly, with only too -much reason. The vikings had ravaged the fairest vales of Erin, had -destroyed her monasteries and splendid civilization, and but for the -strong hand of King Brian would have overrun the country utterly. -That night they took their quarters in a large inn, and the next -morning visited the court. - -The King's palace was far beyond anything Sigurd had ever seen, even -in London. It was built of stone, and the great hall within was a -blaze of arms and tapestries. The nobles who thronged the hall were -clad much as were the Northmen, but their golden bracelets and -cloak-pins were richly wrought, and the precious metal seemed -abundant. - -Sigurd led his men to the high-seat, and bowed low to King Brian, the -famous chieftain. The latter was a powerful, stern-faced man of some -sixty years, and he opened and read the letters of Olaf with a frown, -afterwards handing them to a monk who stood at his side. - -"Sir Jarl," he said, without rising, fixing his gray eyes on Sigurd, -"I will have an answer written at once. For the present you and your -men will be quartered in my palace here. King Olaf is a brave and -worthy man, and I am glad to conclude a year's truce with him; were -other Northmen like him, Erin would be a happier land." - -The monk translated the King's words, and bowing low, Sigurd retired. -Thangbrand at once visited the monastery, taking Sigurd with him; and -although the good monks were somewhat surprised at the warlike -appearance of the priest, they entertained their visitors well, and -showed them over the buildings. - -Next morning Sigurd had another audience with King Brian, who handed -him a parchment for King Olaf, and presented him with a heavy golden -arm-ring; after which the Norsemen left the city at once on their -return journey. - -They rode along at a good pace, and as they came near the boundaries -of Olaf's territory, Sigurd and Thangbrand rode somewhat ahead of the -party; for Thangbrand, who was an adept at horsemanship, of which the -young Jarl knew little, was showing Sigurd how to make his steed -curvet and prance, and thus they insensibly drew ahead of the rest. - -They turned a bend in the road, which wound along beneath thick -trees; and as they did so a number of men sprang to their horses' -heads, and others sprang at Sigurd and Thangbrand, striving to pull -them from their saddles. At the same instant, before they could -grasp their weapons, men dropped on them from the branches overhead, -and a minute later the two Norsemen, bound hand and foot, were being -hurried away through the forest depths. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -KETIL TURNS UP. - -Far behind them sounded a few faint shouts and horns, as the men -reached the spot where the two leaders had been ambushed; then these -died away into silence. Sigurd saw that they were carried by a band -of two dozen Irish, who were hastening north through the forest. He -started to speak to the priest, who was borne at his side, but one of -the men struck him roughly on the mouth, with a sharp command in -Irish, and he ceased. - -At nightfall the band halted beside a stream, and Sigurd judged they -had traveled several miles from the scene of their capture. A -blazing fire was built, over which the men cooked their meal, the two -captives being flung down beneath a large tree. - -"What fools we were to leave the guide!" growled Thangbrand into his -thick black beard. "I wish they would give us somewhat to eat." - -His wish was gratified immediately, for the leader of the band -approached, cut the ropes that bound their hands, and gave them bread -and meat, and a horn of water from the stream. After this they were -bound again. - -"They seem to be expecting someone," exclaimed Sigurd, "did you note -that the leader had sent men out in all directions?" - -This had indeed been done as soon as they arrived, and an hour later -there was a shout, and into the firelight came a second body of men. -As they saw them, Sigurd gave a cry of amazement, for at their head -was Ketil Gormson, whom he had left in London the winter before! - -The new arrivals were also Irish, Ketil being the only foreigner. -The leader of the first party greeted him, and Ketil put into his -hand a bag that clinked pleasantly. Then he stepped forward to -Sigurd's side. - -"So I have you at last, my lord Jarl!" he cried, an evil light in his -dark eyes. "It is a far cry from London to Ireland, but I have -watched and waited patiently." - -"It is a pity that I didn't strike harder that night!" replied -Sigurd. "What is your object in this attack?" - -Ketil laughed shortly. "You go with me to Jarl Hakon, my fine -fellow, and as for this follower of the white Christ, I think I will -turn him over to these good friends of mine in the morning." - -Sigurd turned pale, for he knew that any Norsemen who fell into the -hands of the Irish obtained short shrift. Thangbrand, however, -roared out: - -"Loose my hands, you traitor, and face me with drawn blade!" - -"So," sneered Ketil, "I thought that priests of your God were meek -and humble men, willing to die for their faith!" - -Thangbrand flushed under the reproof, and fell silent. Ketil turned -away, set a guard over the captives, and in a few minutes the band -lay sleeping in their cloaks beneath the trees. - -The Norsemen's weapons had not been taken from them, but as they were -bound firmly they were of no use. Sigurd, however, saw that the -peace-bands had been torn from his sword in the hasty flight through -the forest. - -An hour after this he felt Thangbrand's hands touch his. The two -captives lay side by side, and their guard was sitting a few feet -away, nodding sleepily. Turning by inches, Sigurd looked at the -priest, and saw him motion toward the unbound sword. - -Sigurd, very slowly and cautiously, rolled over on his face, bringing -the weapon within reach of Thangbrand, who at the same time turned -his back. Thus his hands, after a little vain searching, met the -hilt of the weapon and slowly drew it forth. An instant later their -guard straightened up and strolled over to them. - -Sigurd lay on his face, and with a quick movement Thangbrand had -thrust the drawn blade beneath him. The guard, thinking that both -were asleep, turned away, humming an air, and Sigurd caught a faint -rasping noise as the sword blade cut through the priest's bonds. - -Soon the guard returned, and stooped over Sigurd, who lay nearer him, -to assure himself that his bonds were right. As he did so, -Thangbrand drew him down to the earth, his hands about the man's -throat. - -The struggle was brief and noiseless. In a few seconds the man -relaxed, and the priest quickly bound and gagged him; then he cut -Sigurd's bonds, whispering: - -"If my hands were not so stiff I would have done better." - -Indeed, Sigurd found that his hands and feet were too stiff to move, -for he had been tightly bound. They both sat for a moment rubbing -their limbs, then arose. - -"Which way, Jarl?" - -"West, Thangbrand. Once we strike men belonging to King Brian we -will be all right, for his bracelet here will be known, and you are a -priest, too." - -Without a word more they stepped away, each picking up a light shield -from beside the sleeping men as they went. The forest was dark, but -as the moon was just rising Sigurd knew that their way would soon be -light enough to travel fast. - -In half an hour they were well away from the camp, and both broke -into a swift trot, threading their way among the trees, and as far as -they were able heading west. The trees were roughly barked on the -north, and this guided them somewhat, for both men were accustomed, -at home in Norway, to finding their way through the forest by such -signs. - -"Hold up, lad," panted Thangbrand, after an hour's running. - -Sigurd slackened his pace, for the ground was too uneven and rough to -keep it up longer, and for a time they walked swiftly onward. - -"Pray heaven that we strike no bog or morass," said Thangbrand, "for -if we do we are lost." - -"I wonder if we will be pursued?" - -"If we are, I do not propose to fall into their hands alive," -answered the priest, stoutly. "They are evidently some wandering -band, who have been hired by that villain Ketil. I'd like to get him -within reach of my sword!" - -They kept onward till dawn, walking and running by turns. As the -gray light broke through the trees, they found that the forest was -thinning out somewhat, and Thangbrand flung himself down for a brief -rest. - -"I think we must be getting near the cultivated fields in that broad -plain we crossed yesterday," conjectured Sigurd. "If we can once get -to Brian he will protect us, for I have heard that no one could be -more jealous of his word than he." - -Ten minutes later they continued their way. The sun was just rising -now, and as they stood on the top of a small hill, vainly endeavoring -to see some signs of habitation, a faint yell arose from the forest -behind them. - -"Come on, Thangbrand," exclaimed Sigurd, breaking into a run. "It is -a matter of speed now." - -For half an hour they kept up a brisk trot, but could hear the yells -rising from time to time behind them, each louder than the last. -Finally Thangbrand stopped short. - -"Go on, Fairhair. I am clean winded, and your life is worth more -than mine to Olaf. Do you go on, while I hold them here as long as -may be." - -"One of the Jomsborg oaths," replied Sigurd, quietly, "is to never -desert a comrade--" - -"Out upon your Jomsborg oaths!" roared Thangbrand. "Get you gone, -and lose no time!" - -"Listen!" cried Sigurd quickly. "Isn't that a horn?" - -Far off toward the west they heard the faint notes of a war-horn, -while from behind them a loud shout arose, as their pursuers came in -sight. - -"Hasten, Fairhair," cried the priest, unsheathing his sword. "Go -yonder and bring help while I hold them here!" - -Sigurd smiled and unsheathed his own weapon, as he looked around. - -"Cease this nonsense," he said, though not without a thrill at -thought of the generosity of the big man. "Let us stand beneath this -big oak, where we can swing our swords without being struck in the -back." - -They took position on either side of a large oak tree, and five -minutes later the first of their pursuers appeared. He halted at -seeing them, and sent up a yell; as his comrades came up, they spread -out, enclosing the tree in a circle. - -To do him justice, Ketil was brave enough. When he appeared, he led -a dozen men straight at the tree, and in a second the two were -fighting furiously. The Irish crowded around, striking with their -long knives, but speedily recoiled before the terrible sweep of -Thangbrand's huge sword, and the more scientific, but no less deadly, -blows of the young Jarl. As they retired, their chief yelled an -order, and the arrows began to whizz past. - -The first Sigurd caught with his shield, the second he cut in two as -it flew. A shout of amazement went up from the Irish as Thangbrand -did the same, for, unacquainted as they were with the exercises and -training of the Norsemen, this skill seemed little less than magical. -Again and again the two men repeated the trick, but it was impossible -to ward off more than one or two shafts at a time, and soon both -Thangbrand and Sigurd were wounded. Suddenly Ketil sprang at Sigurd -with a shout of impatience. - -The Irish circled around, watching the combat with eager eyes, -forgetful of all else, while Thangbrand guarded Sigurd's back. -Thrice Ketil's steel met that of Sigurd, then seeing an opening, the -latter struck; but his feet slipped on the dew-wet grass, and he fell -headfirst. - -Thangbrand was instantly bestriding his body, facing Ketil. At this -the Irish came in behind him, watching eagerly for a chance to use -their long knives, while the priest crossed swords with Ketil. -Suddenly the latter threw up his arms as something flew past -Thangbrand, and fell with a spear through his body as a yell of -terror went up from his band. - -Looking about as he raised Sigurd to his feet, Thangbrand saw King -Brian Boroimhe behind him, sword in hand, while his men pursued the -fleeing band in all directions, cutting them down without mercy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A MISSION FOR THE KING. - -The King addressed Thangbrand in Latin, which the priest understood -fairly well. - -"Just in time, my friends! The guide whom I sent with you returned -late last night with word of your mishap, and early this morning I -sent men in all directions, joining myself in the search, for I was -greatly angered that my safe-conduct had been broken in this wise." - -"We owe you our lives, my lord," responded Thangbrand gratefully. -"These men were in the pay of a traitor, whom your spear slew before -I had a chance at him, unfortunately." - -The old king smiled, not unkindly. "Strange words for a man of God, -sir priest! But I see that your blade has done good service to Jarl -Sigurd, and perhaps in these times a priest must be man of the world -as well." King Brian sighed heavily as he looked around, then said, -"Ask the Jarl if he has my letters safe." - -When Thangbrand translated, Sigurd held up the letters, their seals -unbroken; and now the King's men returned, and the party went to -Kells at once. Here, as Sigurd was in haste to get back to Dublin, -the King gave him an escort of fifty men, and they set out without -delay. - -Upon reaching the territory of Olaf, Sigurd dismissed the Irish and -pushed forward; but on coming within sight of the city he gave an -exclamation of dismay. Instead of the King's standard, there floated -from the castle a huge black banner! - -Wondering greatly, they galloped up to the city and entered. To -their amazement, the shops were all closed, and the whole city wore -an air of mourning. Sigurd, without stopping to ask questions, left -Thangbrand and hurried to the great hall. - -It was empty, save for Olaf, who sat in the high-seat, his head bowed -in his hands. Sigurd advanced and held out the letters. - -"Here, my lord, is the reply of King Brian Boroimhe. Why is the -black standard on the castle, and why are all the shops shut?" - -Olaf raised his head and gazed at Sigurd with heavy eyes. - -"Welcome back, Jarl, in an evil hour. Queen Gyda died last night." - -As Sigurd stared at the King, the latter rose slowly, descended from -the high-seat, and taking Sigurd's arm in his, exclaimed: - -"Sigurd, come and talk to me. I am lonely, and the most wretched of -all men." - -They walked up and down the hall, and Olaf told Sigurd how the night -before the Queen had been seized with a fatal illness. Good Bishop -Sigurd, the English prelate who had come to Ireland with Olaf, had -done his best, for he was a skillful leech, but to no avail. - -"Why should this evil come upon me now?" cried the King, bitterly. -Sigurd said little, allowing the King's pent-up grief to find -utterance, then he said, softly: - -"It is the will of God, Olaf, and perhaps he has done it for the -best. May it not be that he means you to give your whole life to the -spreading of his Word in heathen Norway, and has sent you a touch of -adversity to try you?" - -"Mayhap," responded the King, "but it is hard. He has given me good -fortune, and I must bear the bad when it is his will; it may be true -that he wishes me to devote myself, heart and soul, to bearing his -gospel to my countrymen." - -The blow was a terrible one to Olaf, and it was indeed many a month -ere he recovered a portion of his former light-hearted spirits. Two -days later the Queen was buried, and after the period of mourning -Olaf threw himself into the work of preparing the expedition with -feverish energy. - -This was no light task, indeed. Olaf had a dozen warships in the -harbor, but it was impossible to take so large a force, as men had to -be left to defend Dublin. Olaf had decided to give up his Irish -land, in case of succeeding in Norway, to his brother-in-law, Olaf -Kvaran, but he could not leave him without men. - -At last, after many consultations with Sigurd and his other chiefs, -the King decided to take only the five largest ships, which would -hold about seventy-five men each. Thorir Klakke had no inkling that -Olaf knew of his treachery, and he advised the King to make a sudden -descent on Norway and to take Jarl Hakon unawares at Thrandheim, -before men could be gathered. Thorir, in giving this advice, thought -that either he would be able to kill Olaf by treachery on the voyage, -or else that the men of Hakon, posted at Agdaness in Norway, would -remove Olaf before the plan could be accomplished. - -The five ships were fitted up in the best of shape. The dragon heads -were taken from their prows, and in the place of these great crosses -were set up, for Olaf knew that only by the favor of God would he be -able to win his father's kingdom. They were laden with all the -wealth that Olaf had gathered in his travels through Russia, -Constantinople, and England, and at length the expedition was ready -to start. - -It was a bright morning in August that the King went on board his -ships, followed by all his men. Before doing so, he called Alfred -and Sigrid to him, and asked them what they intended to do. Alfred -hesitated, for although he wished to accompany Olaf, he did not -forget that his father was in Flanders, and he did not like to -separate from his sister. Finally, Olaf said, with a smile: - -"You both had best come with me. I have a plan which I think will -work out to your satisfaction; I will tell you later just what it is. -Put all your Saxons on board the 'Snake,' Alfred--the ship that old -Biorn captured in England, and sail with us. Sigurd will command the -'Crane,' and when we get to the Orkneys I will tell you what I have -in mind." - -So, wondering what the King meant, the "Snake" was added to the -fleet, to Sigurd's great joy. He had feared that Alfred and his -sister would be left behind, and it was with no small satisfaction -that he helped fit out the "Snake." - -When the men were all embarked, Bishop Sigurd, standing in the prow -of King Olaf's ship, offered up a solemn prayer asking the aid and -the blessing of God for their enterprise. As he concluded, a great -"Amen!" rolled over the sea from ships to shore, the anchors were -weighed, and the journey was begun amid a blare of war-horns and the -clash of arms. - -The Pentland Firth was not passable, according to reports brought to -Olaf, so he bore up for the Orkneys, as had been his wish from the -first. These islands had long been settled by Norsemen, and Jarl -Sigurd Lodvarson ruled them: but the Jarl and his people were all -heathen, for no missionaries or Christian men had been allowed to -settle in the islands. It was Olaf's firm intention to spread the -Word of God wherever he went, and as the Orkneys were in his path, he -decided to visit Jarl Sigurd. - -This was a dangerous proceeding, for the Jarl was powerful, and might -have settled the fate of the expedition there and then; but matters -came out luckily for Olaf. His six ships came to anchor in Asmundar -Bay, in Rognwald Island, and in the bay they found a single ship -lying at anchor. - -Olaf, seeing that the ship was a fine one, and very beautifully -furnished, dispatched Sigurd Fairhair to bring her commander on board -his own ship, hoping to get news of Norway. To his surprise, it -happened that this commander was no other than Jarl Sigurd Lodvarson -himself! - -Olaf greeted him with a smile. "Truly, it seems that we have an -abundance of Sigurds here! Yourself, my own Jarl Sigurd Fairhair, -good Bishop Sigurd, of England, and possibly a score of my men, all -named alike." - -The Jarl, not knowing where King Olaf was bound with his fleet, was -somewhat fearful for his safety, and when Olaf urged him to be -baptized, he refused, saying the faith of his fathers was good enough -for him. Then King Olaf arose, holding in one hand a sword, in the -other a cross. - -"Jarl, you hold, as Jarl of the Orkneys, part of my inheritance, for -I claim all the lands as mine which the Kings of Norway have -possessed. As it has come to pass, by the will of God, that you are -in my power, there are two courses open to you. The one, that you -accept the true faith, and allow yourself to be baptized, with all -your subjects. You may expect to hold under me the Jarldom which you -now possess, and what is of more importance, you may hope to reign -for ever in a nobler kingdom than this. - -"The other course, a very wretched one, is that you die; and after -your death I will pass over the islands and bring the folk to believe -in the true God. Now choose, Jarl, which course you will take." - -The Jarl hesitated; then he slowly stretched out his hand and took -the cross from that of Olaf. This action was greeted with glad -shouts from the crews, and without delay Bishop Sigurd baptized Jarl -Sigurd. - -Then he swore oaths of fidelity to King Olaf, and placed in the -King's hands his son, Hundi, who was also baptized, and who -accompanied Olaf to Norway as a hostage. - -Next day Olaf came on board the "Crane." - -"Sigurd," he said, "are you willing to undertake another mission for -me? You seem to scrape through somehow, no matter what happens, and -as this one is of some importance I can think of no one better fitted -to undertake it." - -Sigurd smiled. "If I have scraped through some tight places, Olaf, I -don't ascribe it to my own conduct! I have been fortunate in finding -friends, and for the rest, God has protected me. Now tell me what -this mission is." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -AT KING SVEIN'S COURT. - -Astrid and Halfdan had a safe and quiet voyage home to Denmark, but -when they arrived there they found that many changes had taken place -during the winter. The pale, quiet, religious Queen Gunhild had -died, and as she alone had restrained King Svein from his wild and -warlike impulses, the King was gathering great forces for his descent -on England. - -Astrid took up her abode in the castle as formerly, but the life was -a lonely one. Her parents had died when she was a child, and only -her Uncle Halfdan was near her. She disliked King Svein, who, -although he always treated her well and kindly, was a moody and -irritable man, with no thought for anything save his selfish -ambitions. Soon after Astrid's return he placed in her care his two -sons, Harald and Canute, and she took great interest in the education -and care of the two lonely boys, little thinking that in after days -the younger was to prove a great and worthy king of England, thanks -to her early teachings. - -So the summer passed, while men assembled and were sent on to the -Danish settlements in the north of England to wait the arrival of -Svein in the fall. Jarl Halfdan was sent in command of one of these -detachments, and after his departure Astrid felt her loneliness more -than ever. - -One day King Svein sent for her. Wondering at the summons, Astrid -proceeded to the hall, where she found the king surrounded by his -chiefs. - -"Lady Astrid," he said abruptly, "prepare your belongings for a -journey. Your hand has been asked in marriage by the son of King -Vladimir of Russia, and needless to say, I have accepted the offer, -for besides being a great honor, this will bring to my army a number -of ships from Russia." - -Astrid was overwhelmed, but answered the King bravely. "You have no -right to dispose of my hand, King Svein, in this fashion! It is -unjust to me, for I am not your vassal. My lands lie in Vendland, -and if necessary I shall appeal to King Burislaf for protection -against this outrage!" - -The King's face darkened. "You will do as I order!" he exclaimed -angrily. "King Burislaf also will do whatever I order him, and this -is a thing unheard of, that a girl should decide her own marriage!" - -A murmur of assent went up from the chiefs, and Astrid gazed -hopelessly around the circle of fierce faces, finding no hope in -them. How she longed for her good uncle to stand at her side! But -as the King said, a girl in those days could rarely indeed marry whom -she liked; her parents or guardian settled that without consulting -her, and Astrid felt that she was helpless. "This is a noble -marriage," continued the King, more calmly, "so let me hear no more -of these protests. You will leave here in two weeks for Gardarike, -Vladimir's capital, with a fitting escort." - -With that the girl was dismissed to her apartments. Young Canute, -hearing of the matter, tried to comfort her, but the boy was of -course as helpless as she. So, although Astrid resolved that the -marriage should never take place, even though she had to fly from -home, the packing of her effects proceeded. - -A week later, as she was sitting sewing in the garden, she heard a -great noise from the harbor, shouts and war-horns mingling with the -clash of arms. She sent Canute to see what it was about, and -presently the boy came running back, his eyes bright and his cheeks -flushed with excitement. - -"Oh, Astrid!" he cried, "we have visitors! Two great ships just -sailed into the harbor, from far over the sea--the strangest ships! -They didn't have any dragon in the bow, but instead was a big gilded -cross! All the men on board had shields with red crosses on them, -and I saw them as they landed--great warriors, all of of them!" - -Astrid's cheek paled suddenly. What ships could these be, sailing -under the Cross, unless--? Canute continued hastily: "And, Astrid, -you ought to see the chiefs! There is one old viking, so fierce and -brave-looking, and a beautiful girl with bright yellow hair, and a -boy who must be her brother; but greatest of all was a young man with -hair like sunlight, streaming over his shoulders, and a great golden -helmet--" - -Astrid did not wait to hear the rest. Dropping her work, she ran to -her rooms, her heart beating wildly. Swiftly calling her women, she -attired herself, and descended to the hall, which was empty. She -hastened out, and leaving the castle, went down to the harbor. - -There all the townfolk and the men from the castle were crowded about -the market place, and as they made way for her respectfully, Astrid -saw King Svein talking to a number of people, whom she could not see -for the crowd. As she made her way through the press, a well-known -voice fell on her ear; and then, with flushed cheek, she found -herself face to face with Sigurd Fairhair! - -[Illustration: _She found herself face to face with Sigurd Fairhair._] - -He gave a cry of delight as he saw her, and gripped her hands until -they hurt. - -"Astrid!" - -"Why, Sigurd!" she replied, noting how he had grown, "what a big man -you have become already! Oh, how glad I am to see you--and how I -need you, too!" she added in a lower tone. - -Sigurd gave her a quick, anxious look, then turned. "Here, Alfred, -Sigrid!" he shouted, and the next minute the two girls were in each -other's arms, while the crowd looked on, amazed. Sigurd told King -Svein something of their tale, then the king ordered all to follow -him to the castle. - -"We can talk in peace there," he said. "Do you come up at once. My -men will attend to your ships, so bring your warriors ashore and let -them be entertained at the barracks." - -Sigurd left this to Biorn, and the four young people followed Svein -to the castle, where they seated themselves in the hall, below the -high-seat. - -"Now, how do you come to be here, of all places?" asked King Svein, -who remembered Sigurd well. In return Sigurd told him about the -rescue of Alfred and Sigrid. Svein nodded. - -"I know the story. Jarl Alfwic is even now with my army in England. -Go on." - -"King Olaf," continued Sigurd, "sent Alfred and his sister to you -asking that you take them with you to their father; or, if you could -not do this, to see that they received a pilot to take them safely to -Flanders. However, since you are going to England before long -yourself, that is settled." - -"Right glad will I be," replied the King, "to have the son of Jarl -Alfwic with me. They will be safely delivered to the Jarl, have no -fear." - -"As to myself," said Sigurd, "that is another matter. King Olaf has -sailed for Norway to take the kingdom from Jarl Hakon, and--" - -He was interrupted by a cry of amazement from the Danes. - -"What say you?" shouted Svein, leaping up, "King Olaf has sailed for -Norway? Skoal! Skoal!" The chiefs roundabout echoed the cheer. - -"He sent me to you, King Svein, to ask that if possible you will send -him ships and men; or, if you cannot do this, that at least you will -not aid Jarl Hakon and Jarl Eirik." - -"As to the first request, I cannot do that," replied Svein, "for I -need every man I can raise. Be sure, however, that Olaf need fear no -attack from me; I will be joyful, indeed, when the traitor Hakon is -driven from Norway!" - -"That will be good news for Olaf," rejoined Sigurd, "for an attack in -the rear would be fatal. He has but five ships, of which mine is -one, and his success will depend entirely on his being able to -surprise Hakon." - -Sigurd then told of how Olaf had Christianized the Orkneys, and how -he had dispatched him immediately on this journey. Olaf was to -remain three weeks in the islands, baptizing the people, and had -arranged to meet Sigurd at Moster, an island on the west coast of -Norway, for which Olaf would direct his course. - -Sigurd had no opportunity to speak with Astrid till the evening, and -he was puzzled by her words of that morning. Not till Alfred, Sigrid -and he went to her apartments in the evening did he receive an -explanation. Then Astrid told them about Svein's plans for her -marriage. - -"It is a shame!" exclaimed Sigrid. "Why, in England a girl must -yield obedience to her father's wishes, but she is not forced into -marrying in this way!" - -Sigurd was silent, his brows knitted. "I am in a bad position," he -said at last. "Of course, the simplest way out of it would be for -you to come on board the 'Crane,' and for us to join King Olaf; but I -am on a mission here that I must not neglect. I cannot anger Svein -against Olaf, as such an action would do; not that I care for my own -sake, but it might mean ruin to my King." - -Alfred agreed with him. "Yes, you must consider your duty to Olaf; -and yet there are two sides to it--" - -"No," broke in Sigurd, "there are not. At any cost must Svein's -finger be kept out of Olaf's pie, for Svein is liable to abandon his -English trip and turn all his forces against Norway in a sudden fit -of rage. That would be fatal to Olaf at present." - -"I think I have a plan," remarked Sigrid after a moment. "As long as -you do not appear in Astrid's escape, it will be all right, won't it?" - -Sigurd nodded. - -"Well then, give Wulf a few men and that cutter that is on the -'Snake,' let them take Astrid on board, and wait for you at some -place along the coast. You must leave to-morrow or next day to -rejoin Olaf, so you can pick them up as you go, and King Svein will -think Astrid has fled of her own will." - -"Good!" cried Sigurd. "What say you to the plan, Astrid?" - -"I think it is a good one, too," replied the girl, her dark eyes -sparkling, "but all my things are packed up, and I don't want to meet -King Olaf looking like this!" - -She blushed as a peal of laughter went up from the rest. - -"Never mind, Astrid," laughed Sigrid, "I will put a chest aboard the -'Crane' to-night; my things will fit you pretty well, and King Olaf -gave me a whole shipload of dresses." - -"Better put it in the cutter," said Alfred, "for when Svein finds his -ward gone, he will search our ships first thing." - -So it was arranged, that the next night Wulf, who had firmly attached -himself to the young Jarl, should wait at the dock for Astrid, who -insisted on making her way down to the harbor alone. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE KING AND THE TOWEL. - -Next morning Wulf was instructed in his part. He had become firmly -attached to the young Jarl, and was eager for the business; he and -Biorn had proved wise advisors on many occasions. - -In the afternoon Sigurd and Alfred went hunting with King Svein, and -the party did not return till long after nightfall. When they -reached the castle they found the courtyard ablaze with torches. - -"What is this? What means this commotion?" roared the King, -dismounting hastily and striding forward. - -Ulf, the gray-headed old seneschal, met him. "The Lady Astrid of -Vendland has disappeared, my lord, and we can find no trace of her in -all the castle and town!" - -For a moment the King's rage was terrible, and he turned on Sigurd, -his face working in fury. - -"This is your doing, Jarl! You have accepted my hospitality, -traitor, and--" - -"You forget yourself, my lord," interrupted Sigurd calmly. "I have -been with you all day, and could have known nothing of this matter. -I do not blame the girl greatly, yet you can account for my actions." - -"True," replied Svein, his anger cooling under Sigurd's reply, "I beg -your pardon, Jarl, for my haste. Will you allow my men to search -your ships? It may be that the girl has fled on board one of them, -seeking shelter with the Lady Sigrid." - -"Willingly, King," answered Sigurd, Alfred joining with him. - -The King at once sent men in all directions, mounted and on foot; but -when Sigurd retired for the night nothing had been found of Astrid. - -In the morning Sigurd took leave of King Svein, who, preoccupied with -the flight of Astrid, offered no hindrance to his departure, -presenting him with many gifts, indeed, which Sigurd returned in kind. - -His departure was the occasion for a much more sincere and -affectionate farewell between himself and the young Saxons. Alfred -and Sigrid stood on the deck of the "Crane" till the last moment, and -their eyes were moist as they said good-by. - -"Be sure to visit us in England next year," were Alfred's parting -words. "We will look for you in the summer at Lincoln!" - -Sigurd promised to come if possible, and so the three friends parted. -As the "Crane" sailed from the harbor Sigurd's last view was of -Sigrid, standing on the forecastle of the "Snake" and waving her -scarf in farewell. - -"Where are we to pick up Wulf and Astrid?" Sigurd asked Biorn, after -they had left the land behind. - -"About twenty miles north, Jarl. I sent a man with him who knew of a -small river mouth where they can lie hid without danger." - -Shortly after noon Biorn, taking the helm, steered the "Crane" -carefully in to the land, skirting along the shore, and in half an -hour the cutter darted out as they passed. - -"Hurrah!" shouted Sigurd, as Astrid climbed up the side. "You have -done well, indeed, Wulf! King Svein was completely at sea as to -where his ward had gone!" - -"And now for King Olaf!" cried Astrid merrily, as Wulf carried -Sigrid's chest into the cabin and she disappeared. - -It was many days before they saw the King, however, for Moster was -far up the Norwegian coast. They made the high cliffs of Agdir -first, and sailed north along the coast; on the way they passed by -Hiorunga Bay, but did not enter, for the place recalled sad thoughts -to Sigurd's mind. - -"Have you seen Vagn?" he asked Astrid, as they watched the Herey -Islands speed by. - -"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed. "How could we have forgotten to speak of -him before! He came to see me last spring--and just think, Sigurd! -He is married!" - -Sigurd gave an exclamation of surprise, and Astrid continued. - -"Yes, he married a girl in Norway, and brought her back to Denmark. -He would have nothing to do with Jarl Sigvald on his return, calling -him a coward and a traitor, and the Jarl is remaining close in -Jomsborg. Vagn himself is in the south of Denmark, where his father -owned some castles." - -Sigurd was surprised to hear that his cousin was married, and he -firmly resolved to visit him as soon as the result of Olaf's -expedition was decided. The next morning they arrived at Moster, and -before the fishing village found the four ships of Olaf, which had -arrived a few days previously. - -Olaf welcomed Astrid back with much merriment. "You seem to come -back to your friend Oli," he laughed, "and this time Oli is not going -to let you go away so soon!" - -Sigurd told him the story of Astrid's flight, and the King commended -his Jarl for acting so wisely. "If Svein had come on us now, -Fairhair, it would have been all over with us; as it is, you did -right in getting the maid away without trouble, and I am heartily -glad that you did so." - -Olaf stopped at Moster for two days, and as he had first landed in -Norway there, he marked out a space on the ground, gave Thangbrand -plenty of money and materials, and left him there to build the first -church in the country. - -After this Olaf sailed north day and night as the wind favored him, -following the land, but keeping to the open sea, outside the islands -which were strewn thickly along the coast. When the wind was -contrary he anchored at the islands farthest out to sea, and did not -touch the mainland, for fear that Jarl Hakon would receive news of -his coming. At last, just at evening, they reached Agdaness, at the -entrance to the Firth of Thrandheim. - -After the ships were anchored and the awnings raised, King Olaf -visited the "Crane." - -"Now, Sigurd," said he, "I wish your advice. Thorir Klakke is on -board my ship, and you know how his plans were revealed to me by my -brothers, whom he attempted to bribe. Well, Jarl Hakon's men are -hidden in the forest yonder, and are doubtless awaiting us; Thorir is -to take me ashore alone, as if to arrange some plan of action, and -there I am to be killed. Now, what would you suggest doing?" - -Thinking it over, Sigurd replied, "It seems to me, Olaf, as that it -would be fitting to let the traitor fall into his own trap. Put a -score of men ashore to-night, let them hide near by, and when Hakon's -men appear let our men charge them and put them to flight, after -which Thorir should be executed." - -"That is a right good scheme." answered the King. "I do not want to -take life, God knows, yet such criminals must be punished; and the -most fitting punishment for this man is death. So be it." - -Early the next morning Sigurd, watching from the "Crane," saw Thorir -and the King go ashore alone. They walked along the shore, then -Thorir held up his glove, as if signaling. The next minute a number -of men broke from the trees, but as they did so, more men rose up -from among the bowlders on the shore and put them to flight. Two of -these latter fell on Thorir, while the King watched, and the -unfortunate man expiated his treachery with his life. - -After this, Olaf, walking down to the water, shouted to Sigurd to -come ashore, which the young Jarl did. - -"Come, Fairhair, let us walk up and see if we can find a farm, where -we can learn tidings of Jarl Hakon. If he is in Thrandheim we must -fall upon him to-day or to-morrow at latest, for these men will bear -the news of our coming." - -They walked up the hill, leaving their men behind, and presently came -to a little farmhouse, with a pasture behind it where some cows were -grazing. Walking up to the door, they saw an old woman inside, and -Olaf addressed her. - -"Good dame, may we have a drink of fresh milk? We are two travelers, -and will pay for what we take." - -"Welcome, friends!" replied the woman. "Enter and I will get some -milk and bread." - -While she was away, Olaf and Sigurd washed their hands at the well -beside the house, and entering again, the King took up a towel that -was lying on the table, and dried his hands on it. At that moment -the woman returned, and snatched the towel from his hand. - -"It is easy to see that you have not been brought up very well, and -have been taught little good," she cried angrily. "Know you not that -it is wasteful to wet all the towel at once?" - -Olaf responded, soberly, "Well, well, mayhap I shall still rise in -the world so high that I may dry my hands in the middle of the -towel!" Sigurd was bursting with laughter, and at this reply he could -hold in no longer, and the woman looked furiously at him. - -They drank their milk, and the coin that Olaf handed the woman -somewhat appeased her. "Tell me," he asked, "do you know where Jarl -Hakon is?" - -"Last night he was in hiding, my son told me." - -"In hiding! What mean you?" exclaimed the King. - -"Why, whence come you that you know not? Within the last few months -Hakon has become so cruel and tyrannical that there is no living with -him; two days ago his exactions in Gauladale caused the bonders to -rise against him, under Orm Lugg. They separated the Jarl from his -ships and drove him into the forest, no one knows where. My son told -me last night, ere he crossed the Firth to join the bonders, that -they were going to look for him at the home of Thora of Rimul, a -great lady who is a relative of the Jarls." - -"Well, well!" said the King, as they hastily returned to the ships. -"Think you not that heaven is with me, Fairhair? Here I come to -Norway at the very moment when Hakon has goaded the bonders to rise -in revolt; I find him cut off from his men and ships, driven a -fugitive into the forests, mayhap slain by this time! Come, let us -make all haste to cross the Firth and arrive at Gauladale." - -So, hastily shouting out the news to the other ships as they went on -board, the prows were turned across the Firth of Thrandheim, toward -the district of Gauladale. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE DEATH OF HAKON. - -As they left the shelter of the bay and drew across the Firth, the -narrow entrance of which was only two or three miles in width, three -ships were seen sailing along the opposite shore. Olaf steered -directly for them, for without doubt these were ships of Hakon's; but -as the fleets neared each other, the three ships, evidently taking -Olaf's ships for foes, turned toward the shore. - -The King dashed forward, coming up with the three ships just as they -ran up on a sandbar. Their crews leaped overboard, wading and -swimming to shore, and directly in front of Olaf's ship was seen a -large, handsome man, swimming. Olaf shouted, but he paid no heed; -so, seizing the tiller, the King flung it at him. The heavy missile -struck him on the head, and he sank. - -Then Olaf's men, leaping overboard, pursued the flying men, slaying -some and capturing others. As soon as the captives were brought on -board the King interrogated them. - -It seemed that the man whom Olaf had slain with the tiller was -Erland, a son of Jarl Hakon, and that these ships were going to the -Jarl's aid. Further, the prisoners said that Jarl Hakon's forces -were utterly dispersed, that the bonders were in revolt throughout -the whole district, and that none knew where the Jarl was in hiding. - -King Olaf at once landed some of his men with orders to tell everyone -who he was, why he had come, and to bid all the bonders meet him the -next day in Gauladale. Then the five ships were steered east, going -up the Firth, and that afternoon the King was landed at Gauladale. - -He found a great meeting of the chief bonders and leaders of the -revolt against Hakon in progress, and as soon as these found who he -was, they greeted him with tears of joy, and welcomed him most -heartily. Olaf brought his chiefs, Sigurd among them, to the -assembly, and when all were seated one of the older leaders of the -peasants rose and addressed him. - -"Olaf, Jarl Eirik will demand stern payment of this attack on his -father, Hakon, when he hears of it; nevertheless, we are determined -that Jarl Hakon shall die, for his life has been altogether evil. -You, however, are of the race of our old Kings, from Harald Fairhair -to your father, Triggve, and in the name of this assembly I ask you -to become King over us, at least until an assembly of the people can -be held at Thrandheim to elect you in regular form." - -This caused the men of Olaf much joy, and the King accepted the offer -of leadership which they made him. The same evening they traveled up -the valley to Rimul, where the Lady Thora lived. It was here that -the bonders thought Jarl Hakon was in hiding, but some distance up -the valley, beside the river was found a cloak, which was recognized -as Jarl Hakon's. - -"He has perished in the river!" cried many voices, and this opinion -was strengthened by finding the body of Hakon's horse farther down, -on a sandbank. But as everyone was discussing this, an old bonder -came up to Olaf. - -"Olaf," he remarked, "you know well how cunning the Jarl is, and how -skilled he is in tricks. A man of his nature does not get carried -away by a river, however swift; can you not see that this is but a -trick to make us cease the search and disband?" - -"That is so," replied Sigurd at once. "I believe the man is right, -King." - -Others assented to this opinion also, and the small army pushed on to -Rimul. By torchlight they made a thorough search of the homestead of -Lady Thora, but without avail; so King Olaf, standing on a large -stone near the barn, cried out: - -"Men, we have searched without avail for Jarl Hakon; at this time we -can do no more. But know, that with fitting gift and payment I will -reward whoever shall slay the Jarl and bring me his head." - -With that they left the homestead, and proceeded to Ladi, where they -remained for the night. This was a very large farm and village, -belonging to the Kings of Norway, and here Olaf took up temporary -quarters. The men were next morning landed from the ships, the -bonders were levied, and word was sent throughout the whole country -that King Olaf, son of King Triggve, had arrived to take the rule -from the hands of Hakon, and that a General Assembly of the People -was to meet at once at Thrandheim. - -These things, however, were not all done in a day. The very next -afternoon, after reaching Ladi, word was brought to King Olaf that a -man was inquiring for him, having a large package. King Olaf and -Sigurd went to the door of the farmhouse, and saw an ill-favored man -wearing the collar of a thrall, or slave. - -"What do you want of me?" inquired the King. - -For answer the man opened his package and showed a human head. -Sigurd could not repress a shudder, and he turned away; the head was -that of Jarl Hakon of Norway. - -Olaf called his men at once, and the thrall told his story. He was -the tooth-thrall of Hakon, the slave, who, according to custom, had -been given the Jarl when he cut his first teeth; he had fled with -Hakon from the bonders, and the Lady Thora had made for them a sure -hiding-place in a cave beneath the pigsty, in the very yard where -Olaf had offered a reward for Hakon's head. - -"What led you to betray the Jarl?" asked Olaf, angrily. - -"Chiefly for the reward you promised, King, for we could hear your -voice distinctly. So I slew him as he slept and brought his head to -you for the promised reward." - -"Seize him, men!" cried Olaf, his eyes blazing with anger as he -pointed to the thrall. "I will keep the promise which I made, to -give you a fit reward, and it will keep those who come after us from -betraying their lords! You dog! You were the servant of a wicked -man, but he was your master and a good one to you, and you were bound -to him by oaths the most sacred. Your reward shall be a fitting one -indeed; take him out and behead him, men!" - -When this was done, King Olaf took the thrall's head, together with -that of Hakon, and sailing out to the island of Nidarholm, which was -used as a place of execution for evildoers, the two heads were placed -on the gallows. That night King Olaf gathered his leaders in the -farmhouse at Ladi. - -"My friends," he said, "Jarl Hakon is dead, and I doubt if Jarl Eirik -will dare to attack us. The General Assembly will be held soon, and -I trust that the people will take me for their king. It seems to me -that only by the aid of God was the mighty Hakon overthrown so -easily; moreover, the time is come when idolatry and heathen worship -in Norway must give way to the Holy Truth. You have come hither from -Ireland with me, and are you now willing to give your lives, if need -be, to spread the Word of God?" - -"Aye!" shouted all, and after a council it was decided that as soon -as Olaf had been chosen king the first steps should be taken to stamp -out the worship of Thor and Odin at the great temple in Thrandheim. -Sigurd remembered his adventure with Vagn in that temple, and he felt -a thrill at thought of planting the Cross in place of the great -golden statue of Thor; for the words of the King had fired all his -chiefs, and Bishop Sigurd also had spoken at length. - -They abode quietly at Ladi for two or three weeks, Astrid taking up -her quarters in the big farmhouse. There was nothing to do save to -wait till the bonders met in General Assembly, and for this reason -also King Olaf waited before tearing down the great temple to Odin at -Ladi. It would not be wise to anger the bonders before being -elected; afterwards, when he was the rightful King, it would be -different. - -Finally word arrived that the delegates to the Assembly had met from -all eight districts of Norway, so Olaf and his men traveled up to -Thrandheim, at the head of the Firth. Olaf was pretty sure of -election, for while he dwelt at Ladi most of the great men of the -country had visited him, and his handsome presence and kingly mien -had made a very favorable impression; moreover, he was well known by -reputation as one of the greatest warriors of his time. - -Arrived at Thrandheim, Olaf, Sigurd, Astrid and the others of the -King's party were given apartments in the palace of Jarl Hakon, and -two mornings later they took their way to the Assembly. Here an -immense crowd was assembled, from the whole Thrandheim district, and -as soon as the Assembly had been constituted, King Olaf stood up in -sight of all, his red-gold hair flying in the breeze, the sun -streaming from his golden armor and scarlet cloak. - -"It is known to all men here assembled that I have offered myself to -be King over you. You must expect the sternest treatment by Jarl -Eirik for the attack on his father, unless you obtain protection; on -the other hand, I have a difficult task before me in obtaining -possession of my father's realm, after being so long absent." - -Olaf gave a brief account of his life and adventures, from his -boyhood up to his discovery of Thorir Klakke's treachery, his coming -to Norway, and the death of Hakon, and concluded with: - -"I believe that there is no man in Norway who by legal right and -descent has so much right to the crown as I. But I must be made King -by you, the Assembly of the People, and if you do so I will protect -you and rule you according to the ancient laws of Norway." - -The tale of his exile and sufferings greatly moved the people, who -were already predisposed in his favor. As he sat down, half the -delegates leaped to their feet. - -"Skoal! Olaf Triggveson, skoal! We will have you to be our King, -and none other! Skoal!" - -A blare of horns mingled with shouts rent the air, and Sigurd, behind -Olaf, set his great standard flapping in the breeze. A silence fell -over the people as they saw the Cross, but only for a moment; again -the shout arose, pealing across the town and the bay and echoing back -from hill to hill behind them: - -"Skoal to King Olaf! Skoal!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE SACRIFICE TO THOR. - -Thus was Olaf Triggveson chosen by the General Assembly to be King -over all Norway, and the rule of the land was made over to him in -accordance with the old laws, by the officers of the people. The -bonders swore to be faithful to him, to support him while he won the -whole kingdom, and to help him to hold it; Olaf on his part promised -to observe the laws and rights of the people, and to defend it from -all invaders. - -These ceremonies occupied the better part of the day, and it was -sunset before Sigurd and Astrid, who had watched the ceremony, -returned to the hall. They saw nothing of Olaf for several days, for -he was very busy with the various leaders who flocked to his banner, -and he was raising men and sending messages to all quarters of Norway -with news of his election. - -Soon, however, news arrived that the levies were not needed, for Jarl -Eirik and his brother Svein had fled to Sweden as soon as the news of -their father's death arrived. The whole country yielded to Olaf's -rule, glad once more to have a king of the royal line of rulers, and -glad to get rid of Hakon, who to this day is known as "Hakon the Bad." - -King Olaf was eager to preach the gospel to his people, but Sigurd, -his namesake the Bishop, and the other chiefs saw that Olaf must -first make his hold on the country firmer, for they foresaw that when -the people found that Olaf was intending to overturn the old faith, -there would be tumults and revolts. The King, however, yielded only -in part to them; and refusing to dwell in Thrandheim, where the great -temple of Thor was situated, began the building of a second town, -Nidaros, a few miles distant. So the autumn and early winter passed. - -Nevertheless, the news spread that Olaf was no follower of the old -gods, and grave disturbances took place throughout the country, for -the bonders drew away from the new King when they found that he was -preaching a new faith to them. Then one day came the news that at -many of the larger temples great meetings of the bonders had taken -place, with sacrifices to the old gods, and there the bonders had -solemnly vowed that they would not allow Olaf to preach the "White -Christ" in Norway. - -Now all agreed that it was indeed time to act, unless the kingdom was -to be endangered. The heart of the country was the district around -Thrandheim, where the land was most thickly populated, and where the -capital lay; so Olaf realized that if he once established -Christianity here, it would not be long before the rest of Norway -gave in. - -With this object he called another General Assembly at Frosta, near -the capital; but as the message went forth, the bonders seized the -messengers, and substituted a war-arrow, so that all the chiefs and -great leaders assembled with a huge host, armed and ready for war. - -Olaf, who came to the Assembly with only Sigurd and a score of men, -saw that he was taken in a trap; however, on the first day of the -meeting he conciliated the Assembly, although when he mentioned -Christ several of the leaders arose and forbade him to speak on -religious subjects on that day. - -Sigurd saw that the bonders were in a bad mood, and that a spark -might inflame them; so that night, as he and King Olaf sat in their -tent, he said: - -"Olaf, I have a plan which I think will save us all from further -trouble." - -"Then, by St. Michael, let me have it!" cried Olaf, "for I am at my -wits' end for want of one!" - -So Sigurd talked long with the King that evening. The next morning, -when the Assembly opened, Olaf arose, and after a short speech said: - -"Let us preserve the compact that we made before, to strengthen and -uphold each other. To this end I will attend your great sacrifice -two weeks hence at the temple in Thrandheim, and after this we will -take counsel together concerning the faith that will be held, and we -will agree to hold to whatever faith we decide upon." - -At this the bonders gave a great shout of joy, thinking that King -Olaf was yielding, and the other matters for which the Assembly had -been called passed off without trouble. - -When Olaf returned to his new town of Nidaros a number of men from -Iceland received baptism, shortly after Yuletide. Many traders and -others who were in the new city of Nidaros, remained through the -winter at Olaf's court, and most of these were also baptized in the -end. - -For the next two weeks both Sigurd and the King were busy perfecting -Sigurd's plan. The chief opponent of Christianity among the bonders -was Ironbeard, a very powerful chief who was also priest at Moeri, a -town near Thrandheim. The winter sacrifice was to be held at the -great temple in Moeri, and if Sigurd's plan went well, all resistance -to Christianity in the district would be destroyed at one blow. - -Invitations were sent out to all the chief men of the bonders, to a -feast to be held at Nidaros three days before the winter sacrifice. -The greatest chiefs and leaders of the Thrandheim districts were -invited, and all accepted, save Ironbeard and one or two others. - -On the morning bidden, the invited chiefs streamed into town, on -foot, on horseback, and even on skis. Many came over the ice from -across the bay, and by next morning the new city was filled with men, -as each chief brought a party with him. Early in the morning Olaf -and his court attended service in the new church, all the visitors -refusing to watch the service. - -Immediately afterward Sigurd led fifty men to the harbor. There they -put on skates, and the young Jarl led them to Ladi, which was only -three miles across the ice, though more by land. - -Removing their skates, Sigurd and his men tramped up from the shore -to the temple which stood on the hill, and raising his axe, Sigurd -struck the door. In five minutes it was broken down, while the few -priests who lived near by stood watching helplessly. - -Carrying out all the images, Sigurd piled them in the show ana set -fire to them as an object lesson to the watching priests and bonders -that their gods were powerless. The temple was then stripped of its -valuables and the building itself burned. When this was done, Sigurd -and his men made a cross out of two beams of wood, and this he -planted in the snow over the ruins of the idols. - -[Illustration: _This cross he planted over the ruins of the idols._] - -Then, seeing the bonders gathering fast, he stepped out and addressed -them: - -"Friends, we are here by command of the King, and you have to-day -seen how powerless your gods are before the true God. As you know, -your chiefs are now in Nidaros; when they return they will be -Christian men, no longer heathen." - -With this Sigurd and his men, laden with the spoil of the temple, -returned to Nidaros. At the harbor mouth a man met them, for it was -noontime. - -"Hasten, Jarl! The Assembly has just been called!" he cried to -Sigurd. "King Olaf posted me here to bid you hasten to the hall." - -Sigurd hurried on to the palace, bidding his men wait in the outer -rooms till he blew his horn. Then he made his way to the hall, -entering it just as the Assembly was opened by the King. - -"Chiefs and bonders," said Olaf, looking sternly around on the two -score great leaders who sat below his high-seat, "I do not forget -that you chose me to be your King, and gave me this realm of Norway; -but some two weeks ago I called a General Assembly of the people, and -there you and others refused to hear me preach the gospel of Christ, -and only by promising to attend the winter sacrifice did I escape -injury at your hands. - -"Now you and all men know that I have in many places shamed the false -gods, burnt their images and temples, and in their stead have erected -the Cross of the true God. But I am conscious of the oath which I -swore to you at that Assembly, and therefore I propose to sacrifice -to your gods the greatest and highest sacrifice that man may offer, -namely, human life." - -A little murmur of joy ran around the hall as Olaf paused. On great -occasions the Norsemen used to offer as the most acceptable sacrifice -a number of slaves or criminals, condemned to death. At the next -words of Olaf, the joyous murmur ceased. - -"I do not believe that thralls or malefactors should be offered to -the gods; instead, they should delight in the blood of noble men, -great chiefs, powerful bonders. Since you have refused to release me -from my oath, I propose to sacrifice this sort of men, for we must do -our best to appease the gods, that they may favor us. Am I right?" - -As the King paused again, a doubtful murmur of assent rose up, and -the men, not quite sure of Olaf's meaning, fixed their eyes on the -King, who stood, handsome and erect, by his throne. - -"Therefore," he continued, "I will offer to your gods the greatest -sacrifice that Norway has ever known. You must be eager to receive -from them the reward of your service and past offerings, and for the -purpose of this offering I shall select you, Orm Lugg, you, Asbiorn -of Orness, you, Stirkar of Gimsa, you, Kar of Gryting, and I will -sacrifice you upon the high altar of Thor at Thrandeim. And after -this, I shall select six others, the highest and worthiest men of -this district from among you, and they shall be sacrificed likewise, -that the gods may send us fruitful seasons and peace." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -HOW THE CHIEFS WERE BAPTIZED. - -For a moment the chiefs stared at the King, incredulous and amazed. -Then, as they caught the meaning of his ironic speech, the four men -he had named leaped to their feet, and an angry roar went up from -all. Olaf's uplifted hand stilled the murmur. - -"Wait! You do not seem so eager for the companionship of your gods; -can it be that you doubt their power to save you? If that is really -the case, and you wish to release me from that oath of mine, I will -be right glad to have you all baptized, and believe in the mighty, -gentle and kind God whom I and my men serve." - -At these words Sigurd blew his horn, and the doors in the side of the -hall flew open. His men brought in the spoils of the Ladi temple and -laid them at Olaf's feet, while other armed men filed silently into -the room. - -"Here," exclaimed Olaf, pointing to the temple utensils and -trappings, "you see how powerless your gods are to save their -belongings! Now think it over, while my men watch the doors; I will -return in a few minutes." - -With these words he left the hall, followed by Sigurd. Outside the -door he gripped the boy's arm joyfully, and was about to speak when -an indignant voice broke on their ears: - -"What is this tale I hear, King Olaf?" - -Looking up they saw before them the old English Bishop, Sigurd, clad -in his vestments. His face was stern and cold as Olaf bowed to him. - -"Is this tale true? That you hold the Thrandheim chiefs in the great -hall, offering them their choice of baptism or death? Answer me!" - -Astounded, the King gazed at the Bishop, then after a moment his eyes -fell. - -"Why, Bishop, it is true, certainly! What mean you?" - -The old man's eyes flashed. "Think you that this is the way to -spread the gospel of Christ? Is baptism a thing to be forced on men, -or a thing which they must choose willingly? Better lose this -kingdom of yours and flee back over the ocean again than to do this -thing, Olaf Triggveson!" - -At this the boy spoke out. "Bishop, it it my fault, for I suggested -the plan; but why is it so bad? Did not the chiefs entrap Olaf a -week or two ago?" - -Bishop Sigurd turned on him. "What of that? Do as you will with the -bodies of these men, Olaf, but force not their souls! Let them come -to Christ willingly." His voice softened. "I know that you both are -only overzealous; but believe me, King and Jarl, this is not -Christianity. Christ said, 'Come unto me'; think you he would have -men driven to him with whips and swords, who died to save men?" - -Olaf bent his head, and Sigurd dropped on his knees. "Pardon, -Bishop! I had not thought of it that way; I see how wrong it was -now!" - -The Bishop put his hand on Sigurd's head. "And you, Olaf? Do you -not see that I am right? Must you be led by this boy?" - -Olaf, fixing his keen eyes on the old man, nodded slowly. "I see, -Bishop, and I will obey your unspoken thought." - -He turned slowly, and Sigurd followed him to the door of the great -hall. As they entered there was a hush, and Olaf curtly bade his men -leave the building, waiting in silence as they filed out. - -Then, ascending the high-seat, he said bitterly: - -"Chiefs, I came among you preaching the Word of God, the gospel of -peace and salvation; but my own acts have been as those of a pagan -and worse. Small wonder that you refused to accept my faith! Too -late I see that I have done ill by you; now I stand ready to repair -my faults, and to act as a true Christian. Go in peace; those of you -who wish to accept Christianity will be welcomed. If it is your wish -that a heathen King rule over you, I will return whence I came, and -will bring no fire and sword into the land." - -The chiefs gazed in amazement at the King, and Orm Lugg, one of the -greatest spoke out: - -"Is this truth, King? Are we free to go to our homes?" - -"Yes," said Olaf, a flush mounting to his brow. "I have proved -myself a poor Christian, friends, but forgive me for this time; go, -and whatever is your will I shall abide by it." - -One by one, silent, incredulous, the chiefs left the hall, and Sigurd -alone remained with the King. Then the boy, grasping Olaf's hand, -cried with tears in his eyes: - -"Olaf, we have been wrong, but how you must suffer! Will you really -go back to Ireland if the chiefs refuse to accept the gospel?" - -"Yes, my friend," and Olaf's tone was very low and soft. "The good -Bishop yonder showed me more in that minute than I can tell you. I -have been proud, Sigurd, and my pride is shattered; the Hammer of -Thor is not like Christ's Cross. I thought to use the Cross like a -weapon, like Thor uses his Hammer; but the Cross is a symbol, not of -pride and might, but of gentleness, of pity, of humility. Yes, my--" - -Suddenly the doors opened, and in came the chiefs, to the King's -amazement. Their faces were very changed now; the fierceness, the -resistance, seemed to have given way to some new emotion. - -"King Olaf," said Orm, the spokesman, "we found it as you said; the -palace is unguarded, the streets are clear. Oh, King, I have a hard -thing to say, but mayhap you will understand! Listen. - -"We bonders have in truth resisted your faith because, as you said -just now, you preached one thing to us, and you acted another thing. -We have resisted, not because we love the old gods, but because we -could not see wherein the White Christ was better." - -Orm paused, fixing his eyes on the King's. "But to-day, King Olaf, -you have shown us a new thing. We have not known you long, yet we -have found in you a strong man, a proud man, a man used to ruling the -wills of others, and for this we have rejoiced in a worthy King. -To-day, Olaf, we have found that there was one thing stronger than -these, a thing able to overcome all your strength, pride--even your -will; and because this is so, we freely accept from your hand the -Cross of Christ." - -For a moment Olaf gazed at the men around him, unable to speak. -Then, the tears flowing down his cheeks, he pressed their hands, one -by one, and said: - -"My friends, this is a victory where I had found a defeat. I cannot -tell you what it means to me, but I think that none of us will forget -this day. Jarl Sigurd and I have to-day learned a lesson from you -and from ourselves; pray God we may never have to learn it over -again!" - -Then Sigurd summoned the Bishop, telling him what had happened on the -way, and without delay the chiefs were baptized in Olaf's new church, -together with their men. That night Olaf and Sigurd sat in Astrid's -chamber, talking over the events of the day until late. - -King Olaf had given Astrid part of Jarl Hakon's forfeited estates, to -compensate her for those she possessed in Vendland, so that she might -be able to live as became her dignity; further, he constituted -himself her ward, although with the laughing declaration that he -would run the risk of forcing her to marry against her will. He had -also promised to give Sigurd an earldom, as soon as he had put the -country into some kind of order. - -"What are now your plans, my lord?" asked the girl, that same night. -Olaf shook his head. - -"Truly, Astrid, I know not. Practically all of the greater chiefs -from the Thrandheim districts were baptized to-day, and I think that -the bond established between us will never be broken. Ironbeard -alone holds out; I am strongly minded to visit him at once, during -the winter sacrifice, and try to win him over. To-morrow, Sigurd, we -will go to Thrandheim and demolish the great temple there." - -For a minute Sigurd looked at Olaf, then the latter smiled. "No, -Sigurd, I have learned my lesson. There will be no bloodshed, either -there or at the winter sacrifice, if I can help it. But the greatest -chiefs have been baptized; now it is essential that Ironbeard be -either forced to accept my rule or leave the country." - -So, without the least opposition, Olaf and Sigurd burned the old -temple of the war-god the very next day. Many of the chiefs so -recently baptized showed their sincerity by joining Olaf or sending -men to his aid; and the idols were taken out before all the people, -and burned. Sigurd longed for Vagn to be there, as he remembered -their adventure with Jarl Hakon; but his cousin was far away to the -south. - -The work was finished by midday, and the party returned to Nidaros. -The sudden conversion of their greatest chiefs seemed to have -demoralized the bonders, for no longer were threats heard against -Olaf, but instead, many of them came to Nidaros and were baptized by -the good Bishop. - -The day after the destruction of the Thrandheim temple, Olaf prepared -to go to Moeri, where the winter sacrifice was held. He took all his -men, sailing up Thrandheim Firth with his largest ships, and came to -Moeri the day of the sacrifice. - -The King sent Sigurd ashore, demanding that the people first hold an -Assembly. Fairhair found a great multitude assembled from all the -countryside, with Ironbeard and his men all present. They at once -agreed to Olaf's demand, so the King landed with his men, and the -Assembly was constituted on the plain before the temple. - -When the noise and talking of the opening had subsided, Olaf arose in -his seat and told the bonders what had taken place in his hall at -Nidaros, told them how he had found his mistake, and would no longer -try to force a religion on them that they did not want. - -Sigurd could see a change sweep over the faces of the bonders before -him, and they glanced at each other and began whispering. At this, -however, Ironbeard leaped to his feet--an immense man, wearing the -robes of a priest of Thor, and with an iron-gray beard that swept -over his chest. He lifted his hand and began to speak, slowly and -with great dignity. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -OLAF'S ATONEMENT. - -"King Olaf," rang out the priest's deep voice, "we are unwilling that -you should violate our religion. The wish of us all is that you -should offer sacrifice as other kings before you have done, and even -as Jarl Hakon did. When King Hakon, foster son of King Athelstan of -England, wished to proclaim the White Christ, he found the bonders -too strong for him, and he yielded to the old faith. The only proper -plan for you is to do likewise, for our minds have not changed since -that Assembly wherein you promised to visit this temple at this time." - -Ironbeard sat down, and his speech was loudly applauded by the -bonders who sat around, and by the great crowd without. Olaf flushed -at the chief's proud demands, but controlling his temper, he rose. - -"My friends, I promised to visit your temple, and I shall do so now, -before the sacrifices. The Assembly is closed." - -With this he motioned to Sigurd, and, followed by his men, who had -laid aside their arms, he walked to the door of the temple. Olaf -held in his hand a gold-mounted staff of heavy wood, and as they -entered he said to Sigurd: - -"Jarl, do just as I do, and act quickly." - -Inside they saw many images around the temple, and occupying the -place of honor was a large idol, heavily adorned with gold and -silver. The temple was now full of Olaf's men, while Ironbeard and -the bonders stood in the doorway, watching him. - -Without another word the King walked up to the large idol, and -raising his heavy staff, struck it. The idol toppled over, fell to -the stone floor, and broke in two parts. At the same instant Sigurd -and his men rushed at the other images and swept them from their -pedestals. - -A loud cry of horror arose from the bonders, and Ironbeard, seizing a -spear, poised it, in the act of hurling it at the King. As he did -so, one of Olaf's men, who was outside, pierced him with an arrow, -and he fell at the temple threshold. - -The bonders drew back, in terror, and the King turned angrily. - -"Who fired that arrow?" he shouted. The man who had done so stepped -to the door. - -"It was I, King Olaf, and I did it to save your life. Ironbeard had -poised a spear at you--see, it is even now in his hand!" - -Olaf looked at the fallen leader, and saw that the man spoke truly. -"Order the Assembly called," he said to Sigurd. "Bid them have no -fear." - -When the people had taken their places again, Olaf came out of the -temple and addressed them from the steps: - -"Friends and bonders, I did not come here to shed blood, and I am -bitterly grieved that Ironbeard drew his fate on himself. As I told -you a little time ago, I will compel no man to leave his faith; I -have discovered the wickedness of that course. But a few days ago -your other chiefs, some of whom stand at my side, accepted from my -hands the Cross of Christ, and now I offer it to you also. - -"You have seen how your gods have fallen and broken. Where is their -power, think you? The true God has protected me, has brought me to -this kingdom and given it into my hand without a struggle, and -whether you will it or not, his faith will prevail in Norway before -many more years have passed." - -The King paused, and one of the bonders arose to reply. - -"Oh, King, your words to-day have fallen pleasantly on our ears, and -we easily perceive that you have truth and justice in your heart. We -see, too, that the gods are dead, and that they have no power before -the Cross of the White Christ. But, King Olaf, the slaying of -Ironbeard was an evil deed, whether you intended it or not, and -before we say more on this subject we would like to know whether you -will punish his murderer." - -The bonder sat down amid a faint murmur of applause, and the Assembly -fixed their eyes on Olaf. For a moment the King sat in silence, and -it was evident that he was struggling with himself; then his face -cleared. - -"My people, I will not punish the man, for he saved my life. Wait! -I am not through. Are there any relatives of Ironbeard present?" - -Two men stood up. "We are distant relatives of his, oh, King, but he -has left no others to mourn him save a single daughter." - -King Olaf took off his helm. "My people, this is a lawful Assembly, -able to give judgment and to punish criminals, with power to inflict -penalty for offenses. I appoint you two bonders judges, and I take -upon my own head the blood of Ironbeard. Whatever you shall think -right, I will agree to, in compensation for his death. Whether you -demand my life, or my exile, or a scat in money, these will I give, -and you shall fear no punishment from my men." - -At these words a silence fell on the host, and Sigurd gazed at Olaf -in love and admiration. Truly, old Bishop Sigurd had not spoken in -vain! A murmur of appreciation of Olaf's generous offer passed from -mouth to mouth, and presently the two relatives of Ironbeard, after -conferring together, stood up. - -"King Olaf, by these words of yours you have indeed shamed us, who -came to this Assembly with arms, and with war in our hearts. It is a -new departure in Norway, that her Kings should offer themselves under -the laws like common men; and yet it seems not unfair to us that you -should do so. The laws declare that for the shedding of blood the -relatives of the dead man may claim the life of the slayer, or they -may claim a scat in lands or goods. Now, King Olaf, Ironbeard has -left no family save a daughter, who has no lack of wealth and is of -good family. We, therefore, her relatives, lay this judgment upon -you: that you make her your lawful wife and bestow upon her lands -befitting her position as Queen." - -The King's men uttered a growl of protest, even Sigurd looking -somewhat blank, for the King had thought of marrying one of the -daughters of the Swedish King, to make an alliance between the two -nations. Olaf, however, checked the murmur with a gesture, and -replied to the bonders: - -"My friends, this is a lawful judgment, and I accept it with good -will. I will expect you two men to look to it that the maid is sent -to Nidaros before Eastertide, at which time I shall marry her and -make her the Queen of this land. It is the least I can do, methinks, -after my men have killed her father and left her alone in the world. -Should this plan not meet with her consent, I will expect you to -appoint other penalty, which I will fulfill most faithfully, and this -I swear on the Cross." - -Olaf sat down amid a shout of approval and joy from the bonders, and -a dozen men rose at once to speak. Making one of their number -spokesman, he addressed the King. - -"My lord, when I left home it was my firm intention to resist your -faith to the last drop of my blood; but now I am proud to take -baptism from your hands, and to swear anew my allegiance to you." - -Olaf started up in surprise, and one by one the other bonders rose -and declared their intention to be baptized. Then Olaf sent for -Bishop Sigurd, whom he had left at the ships, fearing that Ironbeard -might attack him, and turned to the bonders. - -"My people, nothing that you could do would give me more pleasure -than this thing. It is the dearest wish of my heart that this land -of Norway should become Christian, and once you and the other leaders -of Thrandheim and the districts around have received baptism, we will -meet with little opposition from the rest of the land. In pledge of -your earnestness I ask that you complete the destruction of this your -temple to the old gods, and on its site I will erect at my own -expense a church to the true God." - -Shouting and clashing their arms, the bonders sprang up without an -instant's hesitation. They ran to the temple, carried out the broken -images, and piled them in the snow, while others stripped the temple -of its furnishings and set fire to it. As the pile of idols broke -into flame, old Bishop Sigurd arrived from the ships. - -He had been told the whole story on the way up the hill, and he -gripped Olaf's hand silently but heartily as the King met him. At -once the work of baptism was begun, Sigurd and the rest of the King's -men taking part in the service, and standing as godfathers to the new -converts. - -When this was finished the afternoon was nearly spent, and after -arranging with the leaders of the people for the building of a -church, for the burial of Ironbeard, and for the sending of his -daughter Gudrun to Nidaros at Easter, Olaf's men embarked, and the -King sailed back down the Firth to Nidaros. - -A few days before this the Firth had opened, for although it was -still winter, the weather had warmed somewhat, and a channel had been -made from above Moeri to the open sea. When the fleet came to the -harbor that night, they found the town alight with torches, and lying -in the harbor were several newly arrived ships, or rather cutters, -for they were small. - -"I wonder what this means?" said the King, as they drew into the -anchorage. "I had no tidings of visitors, when we left the city -yesterday, and it is strange that the town is all alight!" - -So before the ships had come to anchor, Olaf and Sigurd leaped into a -small boat and were rowed ashore. Their ships had been seen -entering, for great fires were lit on either side of the harbor, -making everything plain to the sight, and a crowd of men met them as -they landed. - -"What is all this excitement about?" demanded the King, looking -around in wonder. - -A confused talking answered him. "Here, one at a time!" shouted -Olaf, and one of the men stepped to his side. - -"We have been driven from home, my lord King, and we come from the -north. There two chiefs, Raud the Strong and Thori Hart, have -revolted against the White Christ, have gathered a fleet, and are -sailing against you. They are preparing to restore the temples of -Thor and Odin and to burn the churches you have built; we, who are -Christians, have barely escaped with our lives, fleeing in our small -boats. The heathen will enter the Firth in a few days, unless you -meet them first!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -THE WRESTLING MATCH. - -Olaf at once went to the great hall, and there the fugitives came -before him and told their story. The two Northern chieftains had -taken advantage of the unexampled spell of warm weather to raise a -fleet and sail down the coast, thinking to come upon the King just as -he had come upon Jarl Hakon. - -Olaf quickly consulted with Sigurd, the Bishop, and his other -leaders, and their opinion was that not a minute was to be lost. If -the King embarked that night and sailed out of the Firth, he would -reach the entrance by morning, and could wait for the heathen fleet -there. - -The King agreed to this plan, and at once sent word to his men to -return on board the ships. The Thrandheim chiefs now proved their -loyalty by refusing to return to their homes. - -"No, King," said they, "you have dealt with us fairly and honorably, -and we are sensible of it. We and our men will be of use if it comes -to a battle, and the enemy may lose heart when they see us, for -evidently they count on our forces joining them. So set up our -standards on your ships, and we will gladly accompany you." - -At this decision the King was overjoyed, for with these men were -several hundred warriors in all, who had gathered at the Moeri -Assembly. So a few hours later Olaf and Sigurd left Nidaros again, -with a dozen ships, while more would follow as soon as they had been -taken off their winter dry-docks. - -The ships rowed down the Firth all night, while Olaf and Sigurd -rested. The day had been a terribly hard one on both, and they were -glad to get what sleep they could before meeting the advancing foes. - -The week of warm weather seemed a wonderful thing to all the men, and -not a few ascribed it to the favor of heaven upon Olaf. It was only -barely past Yuletide, and although no one expected the warm weather -to last, few of the oldest men could remember a winter when -Thrandheim Firth had remained open, or had opened before April. - -By morning they were outside the cape of Agdaness, where the traitor -Thorkel had been executed. The King ordered the ships to be hove to -here, in order to wait for the six other ships which were following -from Nidaros. All day long they waited, seeing nothing of the -rebels. Two or three small ships, bearing more fugitives, came down -the coast, and gave Olaf the news that Raud and Thori were only -fifteen miles to the north, that they had landed at Theksdale, and -were summoning men to join them from all the country. - -That afternoon the reinforcements came up from Nidaros, and the King -held a council on his ship the "Crane." - -"First," he said, "I am resolved that if it can possibly be avoided -there shall be no bloodshed in this matter. Now let me have your -council on how we shall act to gain these rebels over, if that can be -done." - -Sigurd spoke first. "It may be that you did not note it, King Olaf, -but old Biorn, my forecastle man, is strongly of the opinion that -to-night a heavy frost will set in. This warm weather has not been -natural at all; even this afternoon the sun has been growing somewhat -colder. - -"Now, if a frost returns to-night, it will be no light one, and Biorn -says that the Firth will again be closed to us. In this case, it -seems to me that any ships lying along the shore would be frozen -fast, especially if they were in such a narrow bay as that at -Theksdale. I think that Raud and Thori will give little heed to -their ships, drawing them on shore carelessly, or perhaps anchoring -them near by; and if this is the case, and we come upon them -suddenly, they will probably be so disheartened at the loss of their -ships, and at being left so far from home without means of retreat, -that they will give in." - -A cry of delight broke from the King and the others. "That is the -very solution of it!" exclaimed Olaf. "But--it depends on whether or -not a frost sets in. In any case we will leave the land, so as not -to be frozen in ourselves." - -The chiefs separated to their respective vessels, and all sailed out -two or three miles to sea, where they lay tossing quietly. At sunset -Bishop Sigurd, who was aboard the "Crane," conducted a solemn -service, during which he offered a solemn prayer that God would favor -their enterprise; as the men on all the ships joined in the -responses, it seemed to Sigurd Fairhair that never had he witnessed a -more impressive sight than this. Eighteen ships, all crowded with -men, a large portion of whom had only a few days before been -worshipers of idols, lay grouped together in the sunset glow, while -from them arose a devout and heart-felt prayer to the White Christ. - -No sooner had the sun set and darkness fallen upon the ocean, than -the night turned bitterly cold. Many of the men, not expecting this, -had left off their furs and cloaks, so that the others divided theirs -among all. In some of the ships were bales of merchandise, and at -the King's order these were opened by torchlight and all the men -without cloaks were furnished with them. - -By midnight it was evident that the intense cold would close the -Firth, and as Sigurd had foreseen, would also hold the enemy -helpless. Amid a shout of rejoicing from all the men, the prows were -turned north, and the ships rowed swiftly toward Theksdale, for there -was not a breath of wind, and every minute the cold seemed to -increase. - -With sunrise the pilots announced that they were not far from their -goal, and an hour later they rounded the islands outside Theksdale -Bay. There, however, they were stopped by a ragged line of ice, -nearly a foot thick, which had formed during the night. - -In all haste, for as yet they had not come around the headland into -the bay itself, the crews disembarked without mishap, and gained the -shore, leaving men on board the ships to keep them safe. They made -their way, under guidance of men who knew the coast, across the -headland; and there before them lay the army of revolt, their fleet -fast-bound in fetters of ice along the shore! - -"Come," exclaimed Olaf to his nearest leaders, "we must lose no time, -for, see, they are cutting the ships out of the ice!" - -So, leading the way, he dashed over the rocks of the shore, and as -the first shouts of alarm went up from the heathen army, Olaf and -part of his men stood between them and their ships, while over the -brow of the hill poured the remainder of his forces. - -[Illustration: _Olaf and his men stood between them and their ships._] - -The rebel camp seethed and boiled with men, but seeing that Olaf made -no move to attack them, their haste quieted somewhat, and in a few -minutes two well-appareled chiefs left the tents and with a dozen men -approached the King. - -"Have we safe conduct, King Olaf?" shouted one. - -"Have no fear," replied Olaf, "come in peace." - -As they approached, men who knew them whispered to the King that -these were Raud the Strong and Thori Hart. Both were of lofty -stature and magnificently built, with strong, vigorous features. -They stopped a dozen paces from the King. - -"From your appearance you are Olaf Triggveson," said one. "I am Raud -the Strong, and this is Thori Hart. Have you come in peace or in -war, oh, King?" - -A smile ran around Olaf's men, and he himself laughed outright. - -"That is a strange question, Raud, when you have attacked my people -and declared your intention of driving me from the land!" - -The other two flushed, and Raud's face darkened. "You have caught -me," he cried angrily, "by fault of the Ice King, where my men can -ill defend themselves, and I see that you have many more warriors -than I looked for; yet you will not find me the last to cross swords -with you, Olaf!" - -"Hold, Raud," answered Olaf, "I mean not to attack you. Now see, I -have your ships yonder, I have a much larger force than you, and yet -if you will not yield willingly to me you shall depart in peace to -your homes, on condition simply that you abandon the revolt against -my rule." - -"Why," cried Thori Hart in wonder, "we thought that you made choice -of the Cross or the sword to your subjects! Mean you that we will -not be forced to baptism?" - -Olaf smiled sadly. "You will not, Thori. All the chiefs in the -Thrandheim districts have been baptized, but willingly, as those with -me here can testify. Now, what is your decision?" - -The two whispered together for a minute, until finally Raud spoke up, -advancing toward the King. - -"You have fairly overcome us, King Olaf, and we thank you for our -lives. Still, I am not ready to accept your faith. I am a great -priest of Thor in the north, and you seem to be the champion of the -White Christ, so I propose that you and I pray to our gods, and after -that we indulge in a wrestling match. The winner, he who first -throws the other to earth, shall bestow his faith on all the men of -the loser. This Thori and I agree to, if you will also." - -Olaf, without hesitation, replied, "I will accept the trial, here and -now, trusting to the mercy of Almighty God that he will nerve my arm -against your power and that of your false gods! - -"But one condition I would make, Raud; that is, that whoever loses -this contest shall forfeit his life with it." - -The viking joyfully agreed, and then returned to his camp. The men -of King Olaf had all arrived, and as word of the challenge passed -through the army, more than one covert smile was seen, for already -men said that Olaf was the strongest man in all the land. - -It was so bitterly cold that a great fire was built, and on one side -of the space, scraped clear of snow, marked out for the match, -grouped Olaf's men; on the other side the heathen followers of Raud -stood, full of confidence in their leader, for he was very strong, -whence his name, and skilled in wrestling. - -Stepping into the open space between the two armies, Olaf and Raud -threw off their helmets and armor, and took hold of each other. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -THE CROSS AND THE HAMMER. - -Sigurd's heart sank as he saw the mighty muscles and powerful limbs -of the pagan; but he glanced at Olaf, and while the latter's muscles -were not so big, he knew that there was terrible strength in them. - -At first the opponents tried out each other carefully; then, -gradually warming up, Raud made terrific attempts to throw Olaf, but -the latter resisted every endeavor, seemingly without effort. Now -was seen the difference in the two men's lives, for while Raud -speedily lost his wind, became flushed and tired, King Olaf looked as -fresh as when he began the conflict, owing to his temperate life. - -As the viking weakened, Olaf suddenly seized him by the thigh in an -unguarded moment, and with a movement of his hands flung the man over -his head. Amid a shout from his men, and a groan of dismay from -those of Raud, the latter struck the ground, Olaf leaping to his side. - -As the fallen man struggled up, the King seized his hand and aided -him. "You have won fairly, Olaf," gasped Raud, looking with -wondering eyes on his antagonist, "and my life is yours." - -"Nay," said the King, kindly, handing the viking his garments, "I -seek no man's blood, Raud. All I ask is that you serve me -faithfully, and you shall have the same lands that you held from -Hakon." - -Messengers were at once despatched overland to Nidaros, to tell of -the outcome of the conflict; then, after Raud, Thori and his men had -been baptized, for they accepted the condition willingly, Olaf -embarked his men again and they returned south. - -The Firth was of course closed again, so the ships were drawn ashore -for the winter, and the chiefs of the bonders left the King for their -homes, while he pushed on across the snow-clad hills with his own -men. At Ladi they crossed the ice to Nidaros, and were received with -much joy. - -At Eastertide the marriage of King Olaf and Gudrun, the daughter of -Ironbeard, was solemnized by Bishop Sigurd; and at the same time -Sigurd Fairhair and Astrid were married. The wedding was a surprise -to no one, as the whole court knew the story of their adventures, and -had long since agreed that sooner or later the two would be wedded. - -Easter of this year came late in April, and the Firth had been open -for some time. As the procession left the church and wended through -the streets of Nidaros to the great hall, a wonderful ship was seen -entering the harbor. The prow ended in a dragon's head, the stern in -the coils and tail of a dragon; both prow and stern were gilded, -shining bravely in the morning sun. The hoisted sail represented a -dragon's wings, and the glistening oar blades the beast's legs. - -A cry of amazement went up from all, but the King turned, with a -smile at Sigurd. - -"This ship I have had built in secret, and it is my wedding gift to -my faithful Jarl, Sigurd Fairhair. It is not fitting that a Jarl of -mine should be landless, so I also bestow on him the earldom of the -Agdirs, and command that he take his wedding journey thither in this -his new ship!" - -* * * * * * - -Four years later King Olaf Triggveson, with a few of his ships, was -entrapped by the treacherous Jarl Sigvald among the islands of Svold -Sound, while the main part of his fleet was out at sea. - -Here had gathered his enemies--the King of Sweden, King Svein, of -Denmark, who had turned against Olaf, and the heathen men of Norway, -who had chosen rather to leave the land than to accept the Cross. -One by one the King's ships were taken, although he made such a -defense as Norway had never seen, and at one time it seemed as though -he would win, even against such odds. Then Jarl Eirik, the son of -Jarl Hakon, tore the dragon-prows from his ships, and rowed to the -attack under the sign of the Cross. - -As the last of King Olaf's men fell on his forecastle, the King threw -aside his shield and sprang overboard. He was famous as a swimmer -through all the lands of the north, and now he dived deeply, swimming -under the keels of his enemies' ships, so that it seemed to them that -he had drowned. - -Coming up outside the ring of vessels, the King swam swiftly to a -fishing boat that lay in by the islands, and was pulled aboard by -Sigurd and his wife Astrid, who had come too late to warn Olaf of the -plot to betray him. That night, with his wounds bound, the King sat -in the stern of the boat, which sailed swiftly south. - -Sigurd urged Olaf to go north, offering to take him to his fleet, -which could return and meet the invaders, but the King refused. - -"No, my friends, I cannot do this. Toward the end of the fight Jarl -Eirik hoisted the Cross, and I believe he made a vow that he and his -men would renounce the old gods forever if he conquered me. -Therefore, it seems to me that by the will of God, Norway has become -Christian at last, and also I am not without fear that God has been -displeased with my rule." - -"Then shall we go to England with you? You have many great friends -there, and King Ethelred, who is almost driven from his kingdom by -the Danes, would gladly give you a share of his realm," said Astrid. -Again the King shook his head. - -"No," he replied, "let me be as dead to the realm of Norway, for I -will never trouble it again. I will go to Rome, and after that to -Jerusalem. There the Crusaders rule the Holy Land, and I will join -them and devote the rest of my life to serving against the Moslem. I -believe that God used me as an instrument for giving his Word to -Norway, and now that this is accomplished, it were best to give peace -to this troubled realm." - -Seeing that it was useless to urge Olaf further, Sigurd sadly gave -up, and two days later they arrived in his earldom of Agdir. Here -the King remained for two weeks, then, fearing that his presence -would bring trouble on his old friends, decided that he would at once -start on his pilgrimage. - -"Make your peace with the conquerors, Sigurd," he said. "They will -be glad to retain you in your possessions here." - -With this he selected a score of men and a small ship of Sigurd's, -and departed from Norway forever. As he and Sigurd and Astrid stood -together on the forecastle, just as the anchor was raised, the King -said sadly: - -"My friends, it is for the best, believe me, and now peace will come -to the land. The faith of Christ has been established, and although -men may return at times to the old gods, I think that it will not be -for long. Now take this sword of mine, even as you took one long ago -in Ireland, and wear it in memory of me; I will never use a weapon -again, save in defense of the Holy Land." - -Embracing the King with tears, Sigurd and Astrid left the ship; and -an hour later it was a white speck far on the horizon. - -"Come, Astrid," said Sigurd, "we will never see Olaf again; yet he -will always be remembered as the first King of Norway to overthrow -the Hammer of Thor, and to plant in its stead the Cross of Christ!" - - - -THE END. - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CROSS AND THE HAMMER *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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