Gilpin observer., 1904-09-15

sideration. At the end of the harvest,
for weeks OF feasting. You came the
J night the larder was fullest; and they
have only spent one meal day since"
Rothgar got upon his feet and tow
cred over her, his Jotun-frame appear
ing to swell with irritation. "Tell
shortly what you think OF their case;
can they last one day more?"
Fridtjof the Bold took refuge in sui
lenness. "They can last two weeks
as easily as one. How much longer
are you going to keep me from food?"
She was free after that to do any
think she liked, for their excitement
was SO great that they forgot her ex-
istence. Those whose fuency was not
hampered by their feelings relieved
their minds by cursing. And the few
who were boldest turned and bearded
the son of Lodbrok himself.
How much longer must we endure
this" think of the game we are
missing!" There is little need to re-
mind me. My naked fists could bat
ter the stones from their places"
''In a week more, it is possible that
England may be won!" What do
you care for their wretched land,
chief?" "Chief, how much longer must
we lie here?"
When that question was finally out.
every man heaved a sigh of relief,
Strengthening in his place like dog
that is pricking his ears, and there
was pause.
A fell look came into the Jotun's
face as he gazed back at them; and
for time it seemed that he would
either answer with his fist or not at
all. But at length he began to speak
in a voice as keen and hard as his
sword.
You know my temper, and that
must have my will. Always l have
thought it shame that my kinsman's
odal should lie in English hands, and
now have made up my mind to put
an end to 1t. You know that am in
no way greedy for property. When
obtain the victory, you shall have
every acre and every stick on it to
burn or plunder or keep, as best
pleases you" He interrupted himself
to bend forward. shading his eyes with
his hands. "If l am not much mis-
taken" he said in quite another voice.
"yonder is Brass Borgar at last! Yon-
der, near those oak-trees."
In an instant they had all turned to
scan the moon-lit open. And now that
they were silent. the thud of hoofsi be-
came distinct. Shouting their well
70
fuel on the fire. and some ran after
more ale-skins: while others rushed
forward to meet the messenger and
run beside his horse. Kidding with
questions.
When the man finally stood before
him, Rothgar said sternly. 1T Is time
you were here! Ten days have gone
over your head since l sent you out.
You must do one Of two things-either
tell great tidings or submit to sharp
words"
The Brass One laughed as he salut-
ed. 81 should have been liable to
sharp steel had come sooner. chief.
Would you have taken it well II l
had left without knowing how it went
with the battle?"
"Battle!" three-score mouths cried
as with one voice. who were VIC
torious?"
The man laughed again. Should
come to you with a noisy voice and my
chin held high, IL other than one
thing had happened? Honor to the
Thunderer, the Raven possessed the
field!"
Such a clamor arose as though the
wolf-pack had tasted blood. Three
times. through the trumpet OF his
hands. Rothgar bawled a command for
silence.
1.-THE battle! Where was It? And
how long since? Yet. before any of
these. how goes it with my royal fos.
ter-brothers? And how do his traitors
carry sail. Odin's curse upon them!
Speak! How fares he?"
Ito be continued.)