my axe may never
kiss each other."

"Truly, if they ever do, I know which will fare worst," said Haldor,
taking the axe and examining it, "Thou art fond of a weary arm, my lad,
else ye would not have forged so weighty a weapon. Take my advice and
leave it behind thee."

"Come, come," interrupted Ulf; "see, the tables are spread; let us use
our jaws on food and drink, and not on words, for we shall need both to
fit us for the work before us, and perchance we may have no longer need
of either before many days go by. We can talk our fill at the Thing, an
it so please us."

"That will depend on the King's pleasure," replied Haldor, laughing.

"So much the more reason for taking our arms with us, in order that we
may have the means of talking the King's pleasure," retorted Ulf with a
frown; "but sit ye down at my right hand, Haldor, and Hilda will wait
upon thee. Come, my men all--let us fall to."

It is scarcely necessary to say that this invitation was accepted with
alacrity. In a few minutes about fifty pairs of jaws were actively
employed in the manner which Ulf recommended.

Meanwhile Erling the Bold seated himself at the lower end of one of the
tables, in such a position that he could keep his eye on the outer door,
and, if need be, steal away unobserved. He calculated that his little
brother must soon return from his flying journey, and he expected to
hear from him some news of the vikings. In this expectation he was
right; but when Alric did come, Erling saw and heard more than he looked
for.

The meal was about half concluded, and Ulf was in the act of pledging,
not absent, but defunct, friends, when the door opened slowly, and Alric
thrust his head cautiously in. His hair, dripping and tangled, bore
evidence that his head at least had been recently immersed in water.

He caught sight of Erling, and the head was at once withdrawn. Next
moment Erling stood outside of the house.

"How now, Alric, what has befallen thee? Hey! thou art soaking all
over!"

"Come here; I'll show you a fellow who will tell you all about it."

In great excitement the boy seized his brother's hand and dragged rather
than led him round the end of the house, where the first object that met
his view was a man whose face was covered with blood, which oozed from a
wound in his forehead, while the heaving of his chest, and an occasional
gasp, seemed to indicate that he had run far and swiftly.

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE VIK