since we have heard
all about our father's death, and I fear that he plans some
terrible revenge for it, even as he took revenge on the
Northumbrian coasts for the long-ago slaying of Ragnar."

Then I remembered the story of the burnt town, Streoneshalch, and
knew what Ingvar's revenge was like. But as yet I could not think
that he would avenge Beorn's deed further than I had seen already.

"But he has no enmity with you, our friend," she went on; "though
he speaks little to you, he listens as you talk to us. But there
has grown up in his heart a hatred of all men in your land, save of
yourself alone. And once he said that he would that you were a
Dane, and his comrade as you had been Halfden's."

Then I told Osritha of how Halfden had let me go from him rather
than have me fight against my own land. I had said nothing of this
to the jarls, for there was no reason. And this was the first time
that I had had private speech with Osritha.

"That is Halfden's way," she said, "he is ever generous."

"I would that he were back," I answered, and so we ceased speaking.

Yet after this, many were the chances I found of the like talk
alone with Osritha before the weather broke, and we could once more
get into the woods, hunting, and the men began to work in the ship
garths on a great ship that was being built.

Now we had good hunting in the forests, and on the borders of the
great mosses of Ingvar's lands. But there were many more folk in
this land than in ours, and I thought that they were ill off in
many ways. In those days of hunting, Ingvar, seeing me ride with
the carven spear that was partly his gift, and with Lodbrok's hawk
on my wrist, would speak more often with me, though now and again
some chance word of mine spoken in the way of my own folk would
seem to turn him gloomy and sullen, so that he would spur his horse
and leave me. But Hubba was ever the same, and I liked him well,
though I could not have made a friend of him as of Halfden.

In March messengers began to come and go, and though I asked
nothing and was told nothing, I knew well that Ingvar was gathering
a mighty host to him that he might sail in the May time across the
seas for plunder--or for revenge. The hammers went all day long in
the ship garths, where the air was full of the wholesome scent of
tar; and in their houses the women spun busily, making rope and
weaving canvas that should carry the jarl's men "over the swan's
bath;" while in the h