The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-03-21

with all our war shields over the side
and the farmers aud men alarms
shouting farewell to us from the court
yard and battlements of the tower
After three days sailing with a fair
wind we sighted two ships on our
left, and by their war-fiags I saw
them to belong to house in
the far north, near Alstahong. We
drew near TO one another and ex-
changed greeting and when the Jarl
from the North heard that I sailed
Tor the South and plumber, he begged
that we sail together SO, in company
the three great ships braved the dan
gers of the North Sea. We left he.
hind us Jutland and the home of the
Danes-southward, southwark. led on
by the red star of adventure. Now
we sailed with the coast on orr right
showing clear, save when a gray fog
hid 1T away. One bright morning,
when no wind filed our sails. orr
long sweeps urged us into a peaceful
harbcr, around which lay n peaceful
city. Our war-horns cried fearfully.
Our Viking banners struck fear into
the city's heart. The lord of the CITY.
having no soldiers inside the walls and
not enough men in his forts to man
the engines of war, sent forth a white
flag, begging us to keep our men in
control and to accept of him rare and
costly gifts.
This sounds reasonable, " said Har-
aid Jarl, and with picked escorts of
swordsmen we went ashore to call on
the Southern lord, leaving our ships
well guarded. We found our host
for host he was, though the hospitality
was none of his own seeking biz.
soldlerly man, dark of hair and ewes
and courtly of manner. L wondered
to ind him we'll able to talk the lam
guage of our Norway.
myself have some Morse blood
IN my VEINS" he said. Ny grandsire
wed with the cousin of one of your
kings"
Sir" said 1, "my family remem-
bers the wooing," for [ knew then.
that he spoke of the Lady Gundal.
That night they spread us a great
feast, but before the feast be-
gan our captain carried six thou
sand broad pieces of gold safely to
the ships. Our host seemed some
what moved at this, but we promised
to leave him when the tide served
During the feast the Gouthern lords
daughter sat with us at the upper
table. Her name was Gundal. Her
hair was pale gold, her eyes like the
North Sea in summer, and her brow
like the white slope of Kiolen. Queen
y Jewels flashed on her fngers-but
they could not flash as did her proud
eyes. Thrice we looked at each other
across the great table, and to nv own
heart [ swore by the sword of st. Olaf
that to win no more than smile from
this woman / would drive my dragon
ship into the very jaws of death. But
the eyes of Harald Jarl were also
upon her, and felt my sword hang
heavy in its sheath. OF sudden this
second Lady Gundal stood up and in
her hand she held a red Southern
rose.
Vikings, " she said, "for the safety
OF the city my father has paid YOU
gold-I have only this" and she
tossed the rose upon the table.
Quicker than the flash of an axe-blade
snatched it up, and turning to the
captains and Southern noblemen I
cried:
This is my prize-I will return to
you half OF the gold"
Harald Jarl, who was flushed with
the rich wine of the country, sprang
mp and smote me across the face with
his hand. / reeled back, drawing
clear my sword
Give me the rose, be shouted.
Straightway his men set upon mine
in the lower hall, all being fired with
drinking. Above the tumult heard
. clear voice cry, 'Gho red rose is
but symbol" then nothing was left
in the hall but fighting men. The
Southern lord and his followers had
gone with the women Many times 7
shouted that we bad been tricked. but
each time Harald drove nj me the
harder with his huge blade. Seeing
this raised the Salten battle.cry and
ran tho drunken Jarl through the
BODY. The great wax candles were
Knocked down, one by one, till nc last
we fought by tho light of n few torches
ON Tho walls. The dishes and drink
ing cups fell from the tables: the
chairs were overturned. NV men
were ouinumbered, but, having hard
or heads than the farmers from AIqta.
hong, they held their own bravely
Singuard Woldug, my favorite captain.
had by this time cut his way 10 NV
side. The torches threw red lights
and smoky shadows. The swinging
swords flashed and rang mp aud down
the murky hall Fair woven tapea-
tries were ripped from tho walls bv
ih9 restless feet Of the fighters
From behind some one touched nv
shoulder, and voice whispered.
Here is n secret door, Sir viking"
At the sound Of her voice my heart
yearncd toward her, but my sword