ehind the
garth.[3] In the midst of the trees, where this light
seemed to be, was our wooden image of Thor the Hammer Bearer, older than
any of us could tell; and in front of this was what we used as his altar
---four roughly-squared stones set together. These stones were
blue-black in colour, and whence they came I do not know, unless it was
true that my forefathers brought them here when first Odin led his folk
to the northern lands. Always they had been the altar for my people, and
my father held that we should have no luck away from them.

So it was strange to see a light in that place, where none would
willingly go after dark, and half was I feared to go and see what it
might mean. But then it came into my mind that the enemy might be
creeping on the house through the grove, and that therefore I must needs
find out all about it. So I went softly to the nearest trees, and crept
from one to another, ever getting closer to the light; and I will say
that I feared more that I might see some strange thing that was more
than mortal than that I should see the leading foeman stealing towards
me. But presently it was plain that the light did not move as if men
carried it, but it flickered as a little fire; and at last I saw that it
burned on the altar stones, and that frightened me so that I almost fled.

Maybe I should have done so, but that I heard a voice that I knew; and
so, looking once more, I saw a figure standing before the fire, and knew
it. It was little Withelm, and why a ten-year-old boy should be here I
could not think. But I called him softly, and he started somewhat,
turning and trying to look through the darkness towards me, though he
did not seem afraid. There was a little fire of dry sticks burning on
the stones, and the gaunt old statue seemed to look more terrible than
ever in its red blaze. One might have thought that the worn face writhed
itself as the light played over it.

"It is I, Withelm," I said softly, for the fear of the place was on me.
"We have sought you everywhere, and father would have wished you
farewell. What are you doing here?"

I came forward then, for it was plain that the child feared nothing, so
that I was put to shame. And as I came I asked once more what he was
doing in this place.

"The jarl has surely forgotten the sacrifice to the Asir before the
warriors went to fight, and they will be angry," he answered very
calmly. "It is right that one should remember, and I feared fo