but Rolf's manner was as serene as before.

"See now what you are missing by your head-strongness," he reproved his
captive. "It is seldom that men have the opportunity to sit, as we sit,
and learn from the experience of another what would have been their fate
had their fortune been equally bad. Such great luck is it that I get
almost afraid for your ingratitude. It will be a great mercy if some god
does not punish you for your thanklessness... By Thor! In his terror the
fool has attacked them... Ah!"

From below came a sudden snarl, a sudden savage yell, the noise of
struggling bodies, and then a shriek of another kind from Kark, no
longer a cry of mere apprehension, but a sharp piercing scream of bodily
agony.

"Let me go!" Alwin panted through his muffled jaws. "It is a nithing
deed for us--to permit the death of one of our number--so. Let me go,
Rolf--he is a human being. Let me go!"

A man of wood could not have been more relentless than Rolf; a man of
stone could hardly have been less moved.

He argued the matter amiably: "It is true that by some mistake or other
Kark wears a man's shape," he admitted; "yet it is easily seen that in
every other respect he is a dog. Indeed I think there are few dogs that
have less of courage and loyalty. Take the matter sensibly, comrade. If
you cannot rejoice in the death of your enemy, at least consider what
interest it is thus to study the habits of dwarfs. The cur who was
useless during his life, will be honored by serving a good purpose in
his death. Leif will think it of great importance to learn how these
creatures are disposed toward white men. They have the most unusual
methods of amusing themselves. Now they are doing things to his ears--"
Renewed shrieks for help and mercy drowned the remainder of his words,
and called forth fresh exertions from Alwin.

But when at last the Fearless One ceased, and lay spent and panting
against the brawny chest, he became aware that the cries were growing
fainter.

"Though they have in no way hurried the matter, I believe that he is
almost dead now," Rolf comforted his captive.

Even as he spoke, the last faint cry ended in a gurgling choke,--and
there was silence.

Instantly the scarf was slipped from Alwin's mouth, and the living
fetters unclasped themselves from his limbs.

"Thanks to me--" Rolf was beginning.

The brief interval of silence was shattered by a cry from the sentinel
on the river bank, followed either by an