It matters naught to me," retorted Solve, rising and
going forward to the high prow of the ship, whence he looked out upon
the island-studded sea.--"Come, lads, change hands again, and pull with
a will. Methinks a breeze will fill our sails after we pass yonder
point, and if so, we shall sleep to-night in Horlingdal."

CHAPTER TWENTY.

IN WHICH THE SKY AGAIN BECOMES OVERCAST--THE WAR-TOKEN IS SENT OUT--
ALRIC GETS A SURPRISE, AND A BERSERK CATCHES A TARTAR.

Erling the Bold was very fond of salmon-fishing, and it was his wont,
when the weather suited, and nothing of greater importance claimed his
attention, to sally forth with a three-pronged spear to fish in the
Horlingdal river, which swarmed with salmon in the summer season of the
year.

One evening he left Haldorstede with his fishing-spear on his shoulder,
and went up to the river, accompanied by one of the house-carles. They
both wore shirts of mail, and carried shield and sword, for these were
not times in which men could venture to go about unarmed. On reaching a
place where the stream ran shallow among rocks, our hero waded in, and
at the first dart of his spear struck a fish of about fifteen pounds
weight, which he cast, like a bar of burnished silver, on the grassy
bank.

"That will be our supper to-night," observed the carle, as he disengaged
the spear.

Erling made no reply, but in a few minutes he pulled out another fish,
and said, as he threw it down--

"That will do for a friend, should one chance to turn in to us
to-night."

After that he tried again, but struck no more, although he changed his
ground frequently; so he cast his eyes upwards as if to judge of the
time of evening, and appeared to doubt whether or not he should
persevere any longer.

"Try the foss," suggested the house-carle; "you seldom fail to get one
there."

"Well, I will try it. Do thou leave the fish under that bush, and
follow me. It needs three big fish to make a good feast for my father's
household."

"Besides," said the carle, "there is luck in an odd number, as Kettle
Flatnose is fond of telling us."

They were about to ascend the bank to the track which led to the
waterfall, about half a mile farther up the river, when their attention
was arrested by a shout; looking down the stream in the direction whence
it came, they saw a figure approaching them at full speed.

"That must be my brother Alric," said Erling, on hearing the shout
repeated.

"It lo