ass green, but it would not do; some ghastly thoughts must have
filled his head, for all the green went presently into yellow,
out-sweeping through the picture dismally. But the faces were painted
to the very life, or it seemed so; there were only five of them,
however, that were very marked or came much in the foreground; and
four of these I knew well, though I did not then remember the names of
those that had borne them. They were Red Harald, Swanhilda, Amald, and
myself. The fifth I did not know; it was a woman's and very beautiful.

Then I saw that in some parts a small penthouse roof had been built
over the paintings, to keep them from the weather. Near one of these
stood a man painting, clothed in red, with stripes of yellow and
black: Then I knew that it was the same man who had saved me from
drowning by spearing me through the shoulder; so I went up to him, and
saw furthermore that he was girt with a heavy sword. He turned round
when he saw me coming, and asked me fiercely what I did there. I asked
why he was painting in my castle.

Thereupon, with that same grim smile widening his mouth as heretofore,
he said, "I paint God's judgments."

And as he spoke, he rattled the sword in his scabbard; but I said,

"Well, then, you paint them very badly. Listen; I know God's judgments
much better than you do. See now; I will teach you God's judgments,
and you shall teach me painting."

While I spoke he still rattled his sword, and when I had done, shut
his right eye tight, screwing his nose on one side; then said:

"You have got no clothes on, and may go to the devil! What do you know
about God's judgments?"

"Well, they are not all yellow and red, at all events; you ought to
know better."

He screamed out, "0 you fool! Yellow and red! Gold and blood, what do
they make?"

"Well," I said; "what?"

"HELL!" And, coming close up to me, he struck me with his open hand in
the face, so that the colour with which his hand was smeared was
dabbed about my face. The blow almost threw me down; and, while I
staggered, he rushed at me furiously with his sword. Perhaps it was
good for me that I had got no clothes on; for, being utterly
unencumbered, I leapt this way and that, and avoided his fierce, eager
strokes till I could collect myself somewhat; while he had a heavy
scarlet cloak on that trailed on the ground, and which he often trod
on, so that he stumbled.

He very nearly slew me during the first few minutes, for it