us result was that a cataract of beer flowed down Hauskuld's
face and beard, while the rafters rang with a shout of laughter from the
Sea-kings and court-men who sat in the immediate neighbourhood of the
King's high seat. Of course Harald blamed himself for his clumsiness,
but he too laughed so heartily that the masses of his fair hair shook
all over his shoulders, while he ordered another tankard to be filled
for his "brave berserk". That brave individual, however, protested that
he had had quite enough, and immediately retired with a very bad grace
to drink his beer in comfort out of a horn cup among kindred spirits.

Immediately after he was gone the King sent for Hake, for whom he also
ordered a silver tankard of ale; but to him the King spoke earnestly,
and in a low whispering voice, while his courtiers, perceiving that he
wished his converse with the berserk to be private, quaffed their liquor
and talked noisily.

The young woman who filled Hake's tankard at the King's bidding was no
other than Gunhild, the unfortunate widow of Swart of the Springs. For
some time after the death of her husband she had dwelt at Haldorstede,
and had experienced much kindness at the hands of the family; but having
taken a longing to visit her relatives, who belonged to the Drontheim
district, she was sent thither, and had become a member of Harald's
household, through the influence of King Hakon of Drontheim, the father
of Ada of Horlingdal.

Hakon had from necessity, and much against his inclination, become one
of Harald Fairhair's jarls. During the feast of which we write, he sat
on the King's left hand.

After filling Hake's tankard Gunhild retired, but remained within
earshot.

"Hake," said the King, leaning over the arm of his high seat, "it is now
time that we were moving south; and the news thou hast brought decides
me to complete my arrangements without delay. It seems that Ulf of
Romsdal and that fellow Erling the Bold, with his fierce father, are
making great preparations for war?"

"Truly they are," said Hake. "I saw as much with my own eyes."

"But may this not be for the purpose of going on viking cruise?"

"Had that been so, mine ears would have guided me, and we had brought a
different report, but when men talk loudly and ill of the King, and knit
their brows, and wish for a south wind, it needs not the wisdom of a
warlock to fathom their meaning. Moreover," he continued earnestly, "I
have heard that ne