t
one but was waiting in tense expectancy for the move that should
disclose the guardsman's mission. They had sternest commands from Leif
to take no step without his order. They had equally positive word from
Valbrand to defend their chief at all hazards. Between the two, they sat
breathless and strained, even while they swallowed the delicacies before
them.

When the towels and hand-basins had gone quite around, and all the food
had been put upon the table, and the feast was well under way, three
musicians were brought in bearing fiddles and a harp. Their performance
formed a cover under which the guests could relieve their minds.

"Do you observe that he has let his crucifix slide around under his
cloak where it is not likely to be noticed?" one whispered to another.
"It is my belief that he wishes to put off the evil hour."

"When the horse-flesh is passed to him he will be obliged to refuse, and
that will betray him," the other answered.

But Eric did not see when Leif shook his head at the bearer of the
forbidden meat; and that danger passed.

Rolf murmured approvingly in Sigurd's ear: "He is wise to lie low as
long as possible. It is a great thing to get a good foothold before the
whirlwind overtakes one."

Sigurd shook his head in his goblet. "When you wish to disarm a serpent,
it is best to provoke him into striking at once, and so draw the poison
out of his fangs."

Under the shelter of some twanging chords, Alwin whispered up to them:
"If you could sit here and see Kark's face, you would think of a dog
that is going to bite. And he keeps watching the door. What is it that
he expects to come through it?"

Neither could say. They also took to watching the entrance.

Meanwhile the feasting went merrily on. The table was piled with what
were considered the daintiest of dishes,--reindeer tongues, fish,
broiled veal, horse-steaks, roast birds, shining white pork; wine by the
jugful, besides vats of beer and casks of mead; curds, and loaves of rye
bread, mounds of butter, and mountains of cheese. Toasts and compliments
flew back and forth. Alwin was kept leaping to supply his master's
goblet, so many wished the honor of drinking with him. His news of
Norway was listened to with breathless attention; his opinion was
received with deference. Often it seemed to Alwin that he had only to
speak to have his mission instantly accomplished. The English youth
noticed, however, that amid all Leif's flowing eloquence