that it was a ship for
fight, run in again, or hurry towards the castle from the fields. Then
we would call out to them to go back to their oxen, or to go on with
their thatching, and wish good marriages unto the maidens, and laugh at
them while they stood staring.

And we would land sometimes and hunt in the forests; and then we would
cook our meat all through over great fires, and not eat it half-fresh as
on shipboard.

Once we chased a great ship and came up with her, but on calling out, we
found they were Northmen; and the ship that we wanted was of our own
race. So we gave them some rope in exchange for some leather, and drank
"skaal" to them over the bulwarks as they spread their brown sail going
northwards.

Sometimes we landed at some lord's castle, sending a man before that
they might know us as friends. And here were we entertained for many
days, and were well liked, both on account of the kindness and manhood
of my Lord Snore and on account of the sturdiness of the ship's men, and
on account of the quest we were on.

Sailing thus, O king, come I to that part of my tale when the ladies
smile, and when the lords in the hall look away and seem not to
listen--yet would I be prompted if I forgot it.

Now, my Lord Snore was a fierce man of manner and face, being very
large, with his shaggy head held high on great shoulders--a man more for
fighting and combat than for young women's eyes--and old ones' tongues.

Yet like some ugly men he seemed the manlier by his ugliness.

We sat in the hall of Lord Rudolf of Lolland, anxiously waiting the
coming of the ship of his brother, gone Viking--hoping for word of the
ship we had searched for. And Lord Snore hunted and rode with Lord
Rudolf every day, till it came to the evening that he had set for
departure.

And, drinking health to the lord, as he raised his great mug to his
lips, I saw his eyes glance over the edge, and they met the eyes of Lord
Rudolf's fair daughter. And I saw a slight surprise come into his face;
it grew into amazement; and he drank the cup slowly still looking at
her.

We stayed many days at Lord Rudolf's.

It was when the men were growing weary of waiting and the household that
eat in the hall knew all of my songs--when the keel of the ship was fast
grounded--that one night as I lay asleep with my back to the bulwark I
felt a hand shaking my shoulder. And, as I grasped his arm in the
darkness, Lord Snore's voice came to me whispering: