d. His
name was Athelstan the Victorious. Now Athelstan liked to think that
he was a greater king than Harald Fairhair. It pleased him, too, to
play what seemed to him a clever trick on his rival across the sea.

He sent a beautiful sword to Harald. Its hilt was covered with gold
and silver, and set with precious gems. When Athelstan's messenger
stood before the King of Norway he held out the hilt of the sword
toward him, saying "Here is a sword that King Athelstan doth send to
thee." Harald at once seized it by the hilt. Then the messenger smiled
and said, "Now shalt thou be subject to the King of England, for thou
hast taken the sword by the hilt as he desired thee." To take a sword
thus was in those olden days a sign of submission.

Then Harald was very angry, for he knew that Athelstan had sent this
gift only that he might mock him. He wished to punish the messenger
whom Athelstan had sent with the sword. Nevertheless he remembered
his habit whenever he got angry, to first keep quiet and let his anger
subside, and then look at the matter calmly. By the time the prudent
King had done this, his anger had cooled, and Athelstan's messenger
departed unharmed.

But with Athelstan Harald still hoped to be equal.

The following summer he sent a ship to England. It was commanded by
Hauk, and into his hands Harald intrusted his young son Hakon, whom he
was sending to King Athelstan. For what purpose you shall hear.

Hauk reached England safely, and found the King in London at a feast.
The captain boldly entered the hall where the feasters sat, followed
by thirty of his men, each one of whom had his shield hidden under his
cloak.

Carrying Prince Hakon, who was a child, in his arms, Hauk stepped
before the King and saluted him. Then before Athelstan knew what he
meant to do, Hauk, had placed the little prince on the King's knee.

"Why hast thou done this?" said Athelstan to the bold Northman.

"Harald of Norway asks thee to foster his child," answered Hauk. But
well he knew that his words would make the King of England wroth. For
one who became foster-father to a child was usually of lower rank than
the real father. This, you see, was Harald's way of thanking Athelstan
for his gift of the sword.

Well, as Hauk expected, the King was very angry when he heard why the
little prince had been placed on his knee. He drew his sword as though
he would slay the child.

Hauk, however, was quite undisturbed, and said, "Thou h