The Grit-advocate., 1904-09-23

Englishman and get the matter dec,i-
ed, one way or another"
Even Randalin uttered a crv. and
Rothgar caught his King by the arm,
as thought to snatch him out of bodily
peril.
Only one way would be possible,
Canute! Your waist is not so his as
one of his arms. His sword would
cleave you as If it cut water"
Half laughing, but more resentful
the King freed himself. Now do you
hold my power SO lightly? More than
once have | gotten under your guard.
If skill could accomplish anything YOU
would not have to wait long for whs-
should fix upon" He broke off with
shrug and flung himself back upon
the straw of the bunk. let us speak
of something else" he said. what
did the boy say about having seen Ed
mund?"
Somewhat ramblingly, as uncertain
of his interest, Randalin told him of
her glimpse of the Ironside; and he
listened, lying back on the straw. his
eyes fixed on the ceiling. She had be-
gun to think he had forgotten her
when all at once he shot out a swift
question: Did you never find out
what the wool was that Edric Jarl
pulled over his eyes?"
Not unless one could guess it from
what King Edmund said, lord,-that
the Jarl had found them SO much
cleverer than he expected that his
victory was without relish to him and
he was desirous to regain their friend
ship"
A distinct chuckle came from Ca.
mute, and some murmur about the
Ironside's chin. Then he said, Go
on, and tell me everything you can
remember; and once more lay staring
at the ceiling in silence.
He did not appear to notice it when
she stopped; the pause lasted SO long
that Rothgar concluded that sleep had
overtaken their host and rose softly
to betake himself to such cheer as
the fires offered. AS he made the
first step, however Canute sat up sud.
denly, striking his fist upon the bunk.
Il will do it," he said. While they
stared, he rose and recommenced his
hurried pacing, his eyes keen and far
away. his mouth set in grim resolve.
DO what, King?" the son OF Lod-
brOk ventured at last.
I, Canute's eyes appeared to rest upon
the pair without seeing them. "Ac
cept the challenge he answered alb.
sently. Then the utter horror in both
faces brought him momentarily back.
you need not look like that. l would
not do it if did not see good chance
to win. There are other weapons than
those which dwell in sheaths.''
But if you lose?" Rothgar's harsh
voice was discordant with emotion.
"If you lose?"
The King silenced him impatiently.
81 do not think l shall lose; but if it
be otherwise, then Fate will rule it. l
prefer to risk everything rather than
to experience more delay" Catching
the bewildered page by the collar. he
pushed him toward the door, :. Run.
boy, with all the speed Of your legs.
and find Ingimund the Swimmer and
fetch him here. And you, foster-broth-
er, if my fame is important 10 you, do
you betake yourself to those dumpish
OATS around the fires and try, by any
means whatever, to remedy their faint
heartedness. Ask them if they want
the host across the river to think them
turned into a herd Of weeping bond
women. Ask them if they think thus
to show honor to their King. Tell
them that | take it as no proof OF
their love; that | will have none OF
that hating faith which limps up with
n great cry after the show is over.
Tell them-Oh, tell them anything you
think worth while-only that you get
some noise out of them. Evil will
come of it II the Englishman is al
lowed to believe that he has beaten us
before ever he has struck blow"
Rothgar sighed as he moved for
ward. 81 am very unfit to speak words
Of cheerfulness to anybody but this
shall, like other things, be as you
wish"
ITO be continued)