Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11

even speak with Sigurd when anything
happened that was too interesting to keep
to himself
Among Leifs men there were many
temptations to consult together. Not one
but was waiting In tense expectancy for the
move that should disclose the guardsman's
mission. They had sternest commands from
Left to take no step without his order
They had equally positive word from VAL
brand to defend their chief at all hazards.
Between the two. they sat breathless and
strained, even while they swallowed the
delicacies before them.
When the towels and hand-basins had
gone quite around, and all the food had
been put upon the table, and the feast was
well under way, three musicians were
brought in bearing fiddles and harp.
Their performance formed q cover under
which the guests could relieve their minds.
DO you observe that he has let his cruel
fix slide around under the cloak where 1t is
not likely to be noticed?" one whispered to
another 1T is my belief that he wishes
to put off the evil hour"
When the horse-1esh is passed to him he
Will be obliged to refuse, and that will be-
tray him. the other answered.
But Eric did not see when Left shook his
head at the bearer Of the forbidden meat:
and that danger passed.
Rolf murmured approvingly in Sigurd's
ear: He IS wise to lie low as long as posi-
BILE. 1t Is great thing to get good foot
hold before the whirlwind overtakes one"
Sigurd shook his head in his goblet.
when you wish to disarm serpent, it is
best to provoke him into striking at once,
and so draw the poison out Of his fangs"
Under the shelter of some twanging
chords Alvin whispered up to them: 'If
you could sit here and see Kark's face,
you would think Of dog that is going to
bite. And he keeps watching the door
it?' >'~ 'o'''' Iii ouen
Neither could say. They also took to
watching the entrance.
Meanwhile the feasting went merrily on
The table was piled with what were con-
sidered the daintiest of dishes-reindeer
tongues, fish, boiled veal, horsesteaks, roast
birds, shining white pork; wine by the Jug
ful, besides watts of beer and casks Of mead; ;
curds, and loaves of rye bread, mounds of
butter and mountains of cheese. Toasts
and compliments flew back and forth. Al
win was kept leaping to supply his masters
goblet, so many wished the honor of drink
ing with him. His news Of Norway was
listened to with breathless attention; his
opinion was received with Difference Often
it seemed to Alvin that he had only to
speak to have his mission instantly accom-
plished. The English youth noticed, how
ever, that amid all Leif's flowing eloquence
there was no reference to the new faith.
The feast waxed merrier and noisier.> One
OF the fiddlers began to shout a ballad to
the accompaniment OF the harp. 1t hap
pened to be the Song Of the Dwarf-Cursed
Sword" Sigurd swallowed a curd the
wrong way when the words struck his ear;
even Valbrand looked sideways at his
chief But Leifs face was immovable; and
only his followers noticed that he did not
Join in the applause that followed the song.
Some OF the crew let out signs of impa-
tience. They could f1ght-it was their pleas
ure next after drinkng-but these waits of
diplomacy were almost too much for them
1t was fortunate that some trick dogs were
brought in at this point. Watching their
antics. the spectators forgot impatience in
boisterous delight.
While they were cheering tho dog that