Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28

ure-and-scarlet sails were reflected In the
waves until 1t seemed as If rainbows had
been melted in them. Hillside and river
bank bloomed with the gay tents of chief
tains who had come from all over the north
to visit the powerful Norwegian king.
Traders had scattered booths OF tempting
wares over the plain, SO that it looked ike
fair time. The broad roads between the es-
tates that clustered around the royal resi-
dence were thronged with clanking horse
men, with richly dressed traders followed
by covered carts Of precious merchandise,
with beautiful fair-haired women riding on
gilded chair-like saddles, with monks and
slaves with white-bearded law men and
pompous land owners.
Along one of these roads that crossed the
city from the west Danish warrior came
riding one keen May morning, with young
English captive tied to his saddle bow.
The Northman was great, hulking, wild
named. brute-faced fellow, capped by an
iron helmet and wrapped In mantle OF
coarse gray, from whose folds the handle
of battle-ax looked out suggestively, but
the boy was Of the handsomest Saxon type.
Though barely seventeen, he was a man
grown, and 1.-THE and well-shaped. and he
carried himself nobly, despite his clumsy
garments of white wool. His gold-brown
hair had been clipped close as mark OF
slavery, and there were letters on his limbs.
but chains could not restrain the glance of
his proud gray eyes which flashed denance
with every look.
Crossing the city northward, they came
where trading booth stood on its outskirts
An odd-looking place of neatly built log
walls tented over with gay striped linen.
Beyond the plain rose in gentle hills which
were overlooked In their turn by pine-clad
snow-capped mountains. On one side the
river hurried along in surging rapids; on
the other side one could see the broad ell
bow of the ford glittering in the sun. At
the sight of the booth the Saxon scowled
darkly, while the Dane gave a grunt Of re-
lief. Drawing rein before the door the war
rior dismounted and pulled down his cap
tive
1t was a scene Of barbaric splendor that
the gay roof covered. The walls displayed
exQuisitely wrought weapons and rare fab
RIGS interviewer with cleaning gold and sill
yer threads. Piles of rich furs were heaped
in the corners, amid a medley OF gilded
drinking horns and bronze vessels and
graceful silver urns. Across the back Of
the booth stretched benchful Of sullen-
looking creatures-war captives to be sold
as slaves, native thralls and two Mortimer
enslaved for debt. In the center Of the
floor, seated upon one of his massive steel
bound chests gorgeous in velvet and golden
chains, the trader presided over his sales
like prince his throne.
The Dane saluted him with sur1y nod,
and he answered with such smooth words
as the thrifty old Morse proverbs advise
every man to practice.
Greeting, CORN Arnorsson! Here Is
great industry, II already this spring you
have gone on Viking voyage and gotten
yourself SO good a piece Of property How
came you by him."
CORN gave his property" q rough push
forward, and his harsh voice came out Of
his bull-thick neck like a below. II got
him in England last summer. We ravaged
his fathers castle, and twenty shipmates
and slew all his kinsmen. He comes Of
good blood; l am told for certain that he
wind and limb. How much will you pay
me for him, Karl Grimsson?"
The owner of the booth stroked his long
white beard and eyed the captive critically
1t seemed to him that he had never seen a.
kings son with laughter air. The boy
wore his letters as though they had been
bracelets from the hands of Ethelred.
rs 1t because you value him so highly
that you keep him in chains?" he asked.
I'm that l will not deceive you," said the
Dane, after moments hesitation Though
he Is sound in wind and limb, he is not
sound in temper. Shortly after I got him
sold him to Gill the Wealthy for a herd
boy. but because it was not to his mind on
let wolves prey on the rest, and when the
headman would have ,fogged him for It he
slew him. He has the temper OF black
elf"
He does not look to be q cooling dove"
the trader assented. But how came 1t
that he was not slain for this? have
heard that Gill Is a fretful man."
The Dane snorted. More than anything
else he is greedy for property, and his wife