d still
seems, that the terror and pain thereof was held back while I was
on the sea, for those nights and days had had no winter sting in
them.

Hubba and I would wrestle and practise arms in the hall or
courtyard during that time, and he was even beyond his father, my
teacher, in the matter of weapon play; so that it is no wonder that
now, as all men know, he is held the most famous warrior of his
time.

These sports Ingvar watched, and took part in now and then when his
mood was lighter, but it was seldom. Yet he was skilful, though not
as his brother.

Then at night was the fire of pine logs high heaped, and we feasted
while the scalds, as they call their gleemen, sang the deeds of the
heroes of old. And some of those of whom they sang were men of the
Angles of the old country; and one was my own forefather, and for
that I gave the scald my gold bracelet, and thereafter he sang
lustily in my praise as Lodbrok's rescuer.

Very pleasant it was in Ingvar's hall while the wind howled over
the roof, and the roar of the sea was always in our ears. And these
Danes drank less than our people, if they ate more largely. But
Ingvar would sit and take pleasure in none of the sport, being ever
silent and thoughtful.

But to me, best of all were the times when I might see and speak
with Osritha, and soon the days seemed heavy to me if by chance I
had no word with her. And she was always glad to speak of her
father and Halfden; for she was the youngest of all Lodbrok's
children, and Halfden, her brother, was but a year older than
herself, so that she loved him best of all, and longed to see him
home again.

So longed I, grieving for the news he must hear when he came to
Reedham, but yet thinking that he would be glad to find me at least
living and waiting for him.

Now, as the snow grew deeper and the cold strengthened, the wolves
began to come at night into the village, and at last grew very
daring. So one night a man ran in to say that a pack was round a
cottage where a child would not cease crying, and must be driven
off, or they would surely tear the clay walls down.

Then Hubba and I would go; but Ingvar laughed at us, saying that a
few firebrands would settle the matter by fraying the beasts away.
However, the man was urgent, and we went out with Raud and his
brother, and some twenty men, armed with spears and axes.

The night was very dark, and the snow whirled every way, and the
end of it was that Raud and I