e Romans. There were only two men in the dale who could
wield Glumm's weapons. These were Erling and his father, Haldor. The
latter was as strong a man as Glumm, Erling was even stronger; though,
being an amiable man he could not be easily persuaded to prove his
strength upon his friends. Glumm wore his hair very short. It was
curly, and lay close to his head.

As he sauntered along he kicked the stones out of his way savagely, and
appeared to find relief to his feelings in so doing, as well as by
allowing his sword to rasp across the rocks and shrubs at his side. It
might have been observed, however, that Glumm only kicked the little
stones out of his way; he never kicked the big ones. It is interesting
to observe how trifling a matter will bring out a trait of human nature!
Men will sometimes relieve their angry feelings by storming violently
at those of their fellows who cannot hurt them, but, strangely enough,
they manage to obtain relief to these same feelings without storming,
when they chance to be in the company of stronger men than themselves,
thereby proving that they have powers of self-restraint which prudence--
not to say fear--can call into exercise! commend this moral reflection
particularly to the study of boys.

After Glumm had kicked all the _little_ stones out of his way, carefully
letting the big ones alone, he came suddenly face to face with Ada, who
saluted him with a look of startled surprise, a slight blush, and a
burst of hearty laughter.

"Why, Glumm," exclaimed the maiden, with an arch smile, "thou must have
risen off thy wrong side this morning. Methinks, now, were I a man, I
should have to look to my weapons, for that long blade of thine seems
inclined to fight with the rocks and shrubs of its own accord."

Poor Glumm blushed as red as if he had been a young girl, at being thus
unexpectedly caught giving vent to his ill-humour; he stammered
something about bad dreams and evil spirits, and then, breaking into a
good-humoured smile, said:

"Well, Ada, I know not what it is that ails me, but I do feel somewhat
cross-grained. Perchance a walk with thee may cure me, I see thou art
bound for the hayfield. But hast thou not heard the news? The Danish
vikings are off the coast, burning and murdering wherever they go. It
is rumoured, too, that their fleet is under that king of scoundrels,
Skarpedin the Red. Surely there is reason for my being angry."

"Nay, then, if thou wert a bol