elf! But
do tell me, Glumm, what was the cut that Erling gave when he brought
down that second man, you know--the big one--"

"Which? the man whose head he chopped off, with half of the left
shoulder?"

"No; that was the fourth. I mean the other one, with--"

"Oh, the one he split the nose of by accident before battering down
with--"

"No, no," cried Alric, "I mean the one with the black beard."

"Ha!" exclaimed Glumm, "that wasn't the second man; his fall was much
further on in the fight, just after Erling had got hold of the
battle-axe. He whirled the axe round his head, brought it from over the
left down on Blackbeard's right shoulder, and split him to the waist."

"Now, that is finished," said Ada sharply, as she put away the things
that she had used in the dressing of the wound. "I hope that every foe
thou hast to deal with in future may let thee off as well."

"I thank thee, Ada, both for the dressing and the good wish," said Glumm
gravely, as he rose and walked into the hall, followed by his
persevering and insatiable little friend.

Ada retired hastily to her own chamber, where she stood for a moment
motionless, then twice stamped her little foot, after which she sat down
on a stool, and, covering her face with both hands, burst into a
passionate flood of tears.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

IN WHICH ALRIC BOASTS A LITTLE, DISCOVERS SECRETS, CONFESSES A LITTLE,
AND DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF GREATLY.

Next day there was great bustle at Ulfstede, and along the shores of the
fiord, for the men of Horlingdal were busy launching their ships and
making preparations to go to the Springs to meet and hold council with
King Harald Haarfager.

It had been finally resolved, without a dissentient voice, that the
whole district should go forth to meet him in arms, and thus ensure fair
play at the deliberations of the Thing. Even Haldor no longer objected;
but, on the contrary, when he heard his son's account of his meeting
with the King, and of the dastardly attempt that had been made to
assassinate him and his friend, there shot across his face a gleam of
that wild ferocity which had procured him his title. It passed quickly
away, however, and gave place to a look of sad resignation, which
assured those who knew him that he regarded their chance of opposing the
King successfully to be very small indeed.

The fleet that left the fiord consisted of the longships of Ulf, Haldor,
Erling, Glumm, and Guttorm, besides