treetops. Even the ravens, scared maybe
by the great shout, were gone, and all was very still.

At last Ingvar turned slowly to us and faced our crew.

"The sacrifice is yours," he said, "and if it is not accepted the
fault is yours also. We are clear of blame who have bided at home."

Then Halfden answered for his men and himself:

"I know not what blame is to us."

But from close behind me Rorik lifted his voice:

"No blame to the crew--but here is one, a stranger, who does no
honour to the gods, neither lifting sword or hailing them as is
right, even before Thor's image."

Then I knew that the worst was come, and prepared to meet it. But
Halfden spoke.

"All men's customs are not alike, and a stranger has his own ways."

But Ingvar's face was black with rage, and not heeding Halfden, he
shouted:

"Set the man before me."

No man stirred, for indeed I think that most of our crew knew not
who was meant, and those near me would, as Halfden told me, say
nought.

Then said Ingvar to Rorik: "Point the man to me."

Then Rorik pointed to me. So I stood forth of my own accord, not
looking at him, but at Ingvar.

"So," said the jarl, harshly, "you dare to dishonour Thor?"

I answered boldly, feeling very strong in the matter.

"I dishonour no man's religion, Jarl, neither yours nor my own."

"You did no honour to the Asir," he said sternly.

"Thor and Odin are not the gods I worship," I answered.

"I know. You are one of those who have left the gods of your
fathers."

Then one of our men, who had stood next to me, spoke for me, as he
thought.

"I saw Wulfric sign Thor's hammer even now. What more does any man
want from a Saxon?"

Thereat Ingvar scowled, knowing, as I think, what this was.

"You claim to be truth teller," he said; "did you sign Thor's
hammer?"

"I did not," I answered.

Then Halfden came to my side.

"Let Wulfric go his own way, brother. What matters it what gods he
worships so long as he is good warrior and true man, as I and my
men know him to be?"

So he looked round on the faces of my comrades, and they answered
in many ways that this was so. And several cried:

"Let it be, Jarl. What is one man to Thor and Odin?"

Now I think that Ingvar would have let the matter pass thus, for
the word of the host is not lightly to be disregarded. But Rorik
would not suffer it.

"What of the wrath of the gods, Godar?" he said. "How will you put
that aside?"

Then was a murmur t