anything raised his anger, to collect
himself and let his passion run off, and then take the matter into
consideration coolly."

"Go," he said, sitting down again at the window, "I will speak with thee
on this subject to-morrow."

Erling, who during the little burst of passion had kept his blue eyes
unflinchingly fixed on those of the King, bowed and retired, followed by
Glumm, whose admiration of his friend's diplomatic powers would have
been unbounded, had he only wound up with a challenge to the King, then
and there, to single combat!

CHAPTER TWELVE.

DESCRIBES A TERRIFIC AND UNEQUAL COMBAT.

"Now, kinsman, let me endeavour to convince thee of thy folly," said
Jarl Rongvold to Erling, on the morning that followed the evening in
which the interview with the King had taken place, as they walked in
front of the house together.

"It needs no great power of speech to convince me of that," said Erling.
"The fact that I am still here, after what the King let out last night,
convinces me, without your aid, that I am a fool."

"And pray what said he that has had such powerful influence on thine
obtuse mind?"

"Truly he said little, but he expressed much. He gave way to an
unreasonable burst of passion when I did but claim justice and assert
our rights; and the man must be slow-witted indeed who could believe
that subdued passion is changed opinion. However, I will wait for
another interview until the sun is in the zenith--after that I leave,
whatever be the consequences. So it were well, kinsman, that you should
see and advise with your _master_."

The jarl bit his lip, and was on the point of turning away without
replying, when a remarkably stout and tall young man walked up and
accosted them.

"This is my son Rolf," said the jarl, turning round hastily.--"Our
kinsman, Erling the Bold. I go to attend the King. Make the most of
each other, for ye are not likely to be long in company."

"Are you that Rolf who is styled Ganger?" enquired Erling with some
interest.

"Aye," replied the other gruffly. "At least I am Rolf. Men choose to
call me Ganger because I prefer to gang on my legs rather than gang on
the legs of a horse. They say it is because no horse can carry me; but
thou seest that that is a lie, for I am not much heavier than thyself."

"I should like to know thee better, kinsman," said Erling.

Rolf Ganger did not respond so heartily to this as Erling wished, and he
felt much disappointe