He bent forward to resist
the animal's weight and impetus, but the baffled wolf was cowed by his
resolute front. It turned tail, and fled, followed by Glumm with a wild
halloo!

When the first growl was heard by Alric, it strung him up to the right
pitch instantly, and the next one caused the blood to rush to his face,
for he heard the halloo which Glumm uttered as he followed in pursuit.
The distance was short. Another moment and the boy saw the infuriated
animal springing towards him, with Glumm rushing madly after it. Alric
was already in the centre of the pass with the spear levelled, and his
body bent in anticipation of the shock. The wolf saw him, but did not
check its pace--with a furious Norseman bounding behind there was no
room for hesitation. It lowered its head, increased its speed, and ran
at the opening like a thunderbolt. When within three yards of the boy
it swerved, and, leaping up, pawed the cliff on the left while in the
air. Alric had foreseen this--his only doubt had been as to which side
the brute would incline to. He sprang at the same moment, and met it
full in the face as it came down. The point of his spear entered the
wolf's chest, and penetrated deep into its body. A terrific yell
followed. The spear handle broke in the middle, and the boy fell on his
face, while the wolf went right over him, yelling and biting the spear,
as, carried on by its impetus, it rolled head over heels for several
yards among the rocks.

Alric jumped up unhurt, and, for want of a better weapon, seized a mass
of stone, which he raised above his head, and hurled at the wolf,
hitting it fairly on the skull. At the same moment Glumm ran up,
intending to transfix the brute with his spear.

"Hold thy hand, Glumm," gasped the boy.

Glumm checked himself.

"In truth it needs no more," he said, bringing the butt of his weapon to
the ground, and leaning on it, while he looked on at the last struggles
of the dying wolf. "Fairly done, lad," he added, with a nod of
approval, "this will make a man of thee."

The boy did not speak, but stood with his chest still heaving, his
breath coming fast, and the expression of triumph on his countenance
showing that for him a new era had opened up--that the days of boasting
had ended, and those of manly action had fairly and auspiciously begun.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

SHOWS WHAT SOME OF THE MEN OF OLD COULD DO IN COLD BLOOD, AND TREATS OF
HEATHEN FESTIVITIES AT HARALD