l
with incendiaries.

_Brand_.--Kolbein the Young will surely take revenge on us for his
friend Thorolf.

_Einar_.--Kolbein is no longer to be reckoned among living men.

_Broddi_.--Kinsman Kolbein lay more sorely stricken with his wound this
time than last, and even then was in danger of his life.

_Alf_.--I cannot tell a doomed man if he ever arises again.

_Sigurd_.--A great loss it would be if a chieftain so noble and so
beloved should depart this world.

_Broddi_.--And one so victorious!

_Sigurd_.--Let us pray for his soul!

(_Silence. All present show marks of grief and of praying_.)

_Broddi_.--But you will lend us your aid, Brand, after the slaying of
Thorolf, and will take steps to make Lady Helga leave the district?

_Brand_.--It is not seeming that I give counsel to those who plan
Thorolf's death.

_Broddi_.--We shall help you to obtain all the dominions in Skagafirth
and west as far as Hrutafirth for it; because it is not so very sure
whether all are willing to accept you as overlord.

_Brand_.--I thank you, friend Broddi. But I shall take no part in your
dealings with Thorolf. Afterwards I shall not part from you.

_Alf_.--Let us touch our weapons to confirm it, according to Norse
custom!

_Many_.--Yes, let us brandish weapons!

_Broddi_ (_mounting a rock_).--We, Alf of Grof, Broddi Thorleifsson,
Einar the Rich, and all who are here, excepting only Brand Kolbeinsson,
agree, and brandish our weapons in confirmation of our purpose, that we
shall not part from one another, and share a common fate, until we shall
have brought from life to death Thorolf Bjarnason.

(_All, except_ BRAND, _lift their weapons and strike their shields with
their swords_.)

_Brand_.--And remember then, Broddi, what you promised me!

_Broddi_.--We all who are assembled here promise and brandish our
weapons in confirmation thereof, to aid Brand Kolbeinsson to gain
dominion over Skagafirth and west as far as Hrutafirth, after the death
of Kolbein the Young; he on his part promises to support us with all his
might in the action against us for the killing of Thorolf Bjarnason.

(_All raise their weapons and clash them against their shields_, BRAND
_likewise_.)

_Sigurd_.--The weather has been clearing up this while.

_Broddi_.--Who will now seek the way and go before us?

_Brand_.--Alf Gudmundsson of Grof. (_They depart_.)

(_The stage is empty for a while, the snow begins to fall and drift
again. Of a sudde