d for this I honour them, because they respect the
law of the land more than they respect the King. Happy is the nation
where such men abound; and in saying this I do no dishonour to the King,
but the reverse."

Erling looked in surprise at Kettle, while he continued to bathe the
face of his still unconscious friend, for his language and bearing were
much altered from what they had been when he was in thraldom, and there
was an air of quiet dignity about him, which seemed to favour the common
report that he had been a man of note in his own land.

"Well," continued Kettle, "it is equally certain that Harald is not a
man who will tamely submit to be thwarted in his plans, so I had made up
my mind to take service with him, in order that I might be able to find
out his intentions and observe his temper towards the men of Horlingdal,
and thus be in a position to give them timely warning of any danger that
threatened. On my way hither I met Hake, as I have said. On hearing
that he belonged to King Harald, I told him that I had just got my
freedom from Ulf, and wished to join the King. He seemed very glad, and
said he thought I would make a good berserk; told me that he was out in
search of some of the King's enemies, and proposed that I should assist
him. Of course this suited me well; but it was only when we found you
that I became aware who the King's enemies were, and resolved to act as
ye have seen me do. I did not choose to tell Ulf my intention, lest my
plan should miscarry; but, now that I find who the King counts his foes,
and know how sharply he intends to treat them, it seems to me that I
need go no farther."

"Truly thou needst not," said Erling, "for Harald is in the worst
possible humour with us all, and did his best to stop me from going home
to tell the fact."

"Then is my mission ended. I will return to Ulfstede," said Kettle,
throwing the water out of his helmet, and replacing it on his head, as
he rose and grasped his sword. "Meanwhile, I will cut off Hake's head,
and take it back with me."

"Thou wilt do so at thy peril," said Erling; "Hake fell to my hand, and
I will finish the work which I have begun. Do thou go catch three or
four of the horses, for I see that Glumm is recovering."

"I will not interfere with your business," said Kettle, with a laugh,
"only I thought you meant to leave his carcass lying there unheeded, and
was unwilling to go off without his head as a trophy."

Kettle w