on why she should."

"Every reason, Malcolm," she said, as if angry with me. "Do you
think that all the care you had for her before Hakon came is to go
for naught?"

"Bertric and Dalfin are to be remembered in that matter also."

"Of course. But Asa Thor, who was only Malcolm the Jarl after all,
being a fellow countryman, has had the first place."

"You seem to have heard all the story," I said, smiling.

"From the beginning," she answered, "else had I not spoken to you
thus. Now, I will not sit by and see Gerda, whom I love, made
wretched because you are somewhat too thoughtful for her, if I may
put it so. And I will tell you one thing which she fears more than
aught."

There she stayed her words and looked at me somewhat doubtfully. I
suppose that what she saw in my face told her that she might go on,
for she did so.

"Presently Hakon must needs find a protector for her, if her own
lands are to be won back for her. She fears who that may be."

Then she rose up and left me with some new matter for thought, not
altogether unpleasant. And thereafter, for the few days that were
left of the voyage, I did my best to be the same in all
companionship to our charge as I had been in the days on the
island.

Hakon made up his mind to sail north to Thrandheim {2}, where
men loved his father, and where the strength of Norway lay. With
the Thrandheimers behind him there would be every hope of winning
in the end, if there must needs be some fighting here and there
before the land was quiet. So he steered for the islands which lie
outside the great fjord whereon the town lies, and there found a
berth for the ships, while he sent men to find out how the minds of
the folk were turned toward Eric. Thoralf went, and two others who
were known in the district.

When they had gone, he sent for me to speak with him privately, in
the little house on the island where he was lodged with some friend
of his father's. He sat alone when I came in, and he smiled when he
saw me. I would have it remembered that Hakon was far older than
his years, and that we forgot what his age was, for, indeed, he was
wiser than most men even then.

"Malcolm," he said, "I want you to do somewhat for me. You will
have to leave me, and maybe it is not an easy matter which I have
in hand for you. Yet it is likely that you are the only man whom I
can set to do it."

"If that is so, King Hakon, needs must I undertake it," I answered,
lightly enough.

"