Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-19

not stir away from the Lucky One. VIII
not! 1 will not!'' Gibbering with terror,
he clutched LeifS cloak and chung there
like cat.
For a moment the chief hesitated, look
ing down at him with disgust unutterable.
Then he quietly loosened the golden clasp
on his shoulder, flung the mantle off with
a sweep that sent the thrall staggering
backward, and marched away at the head
of his men.
Valbrand had handled rebellious slaves
before.
Shaking the fellow until he no longer
had any breath to howl with. the steers
man said briefly 1T is very unlikely that
we shall see any ghosts, but 1t is altogether
certain that your hide will feel my belt
If you do not end this fuss
kark made his choice with admirable
swiftness
He got what comfort he could poor
| wretch, out of a carefully selected posi-
ton. AS between two shields, he crept
between the mystic Icelander and the
dauntless Norman warrior Valbrand led
the way, his flint face set to withstand the
devil and all his angels; and three strap
ping Swedes brought up the rear, with
drawn swords and humping hearts.
If only the way could have lain straight
and open before them, even though 1t bris-
| tied with beasts and foes! But for the
whole distance it screwed itself into sue
cession Of crescent-shaped beaches, each
one lying between rocky spurs of the beet
| ling crags.
|
| ing more alarming than lchened boulders
and pebbly shore, with here a dead fish and
there a heap Of shining sflaky kelp. and
yonder a flock of startled gulls-but vino
could tell what the next projection might
be hiding? They walked with their fists
gripped hard around their weapons, their
eyes shifting, their ears strained. while the
waves Missed around their feet and the
gulls screamed over their heads
Slowly the light faded from the noun
tain top and lay upon the next peak, a
golden cone against the blue. At last even
Valbrand's sense OF duty was satisfied.
I'VE will turn back now" he announced.
hating them. but first / will climb up the
cliff, here where it is lowest, and try to
see a little way ahead, that we may have
as much news as possible to report to the
chief"
AS he spoke he gave a great spring up
ward onto a shelving ledge, and pulled
himself up to the next projection; rafting
shower of sand and pebbles continued to
mark his ascent. Robert the Fearless
walked on to look around the rock they had
almost reached, but the rest remained
where they were, following their leaders
movements with anxious eyes.
They were so intent that they jumped like
startled horses at an exclamation from the
Iceiander. He was pointing TO the strip of
beach which lay between kark and the
Norman.
Look therew he cried. Look therer
Their alarm was In no way diminished
when they had looked and seen that the
space was empty The cold drops came out
on their bodies, and the hair rose on their
h lads.
Robert of Normandy, who had caught
the cry but not the words came walking
back, inquiring the cause OF the excitement;
and at that the Icelander cried out louder
than before:
Have a care where you go! Do you not
see IT? You will get blood upon your fine
cloak. 1t Is at your feet,
(To be continued tomorrow.)