g's ear some earnest words, stood forth and said:

"It is King Harald's will to give way to you in this matter for he does
not wish to separate himself from your friendship."

This brought the Thing to a close. Thereafter the two parties returned
to their ships, intending to feast and pass the night in them.

The King was very affable, and invited Haldor and some of the others
whose language had been comparatively moderate to feast with him, but
they declined the honour, and retired to their own ships.

In the evening, while the sounds of revelry were heard everywhere, a
boat approached Erling's ship. It was rowed by a single man, who, when
it touched her side, leaped on board and went aft to where Erling was
seated with Guttorm Stoutheart.

"King Harald would speak with thee," said the man, who was no other than
Hake the berserk.

"Methinks his intentions can scarce be friendly," said Erling, with a
grim smile, "when he sends so trusty a messenger."

"It may be so," replied Hake coolly, "but that is nothing to me. My
business is to deliver the message and offer to conduct thee to him."

"And pray, what surety have I that thou wilt not upset me in the fiord?"
asked Erling, laughing.

"The surety that if I upset thee we shall be on equal terms in the
water," replied Hake gruffly.

"Nay, that depends on which of us can swim best," returned Erling; "and,
truly, if thou canst fight as well in the water as on the land, we
should have a rare struggle, Hake."

"Am I to say to the King that thou art afraid of him?" asked the
berserk, with a look of scorn.

"Yea, truly, if it is thy desire to tell him a lie," retorted Erling.
"But get thee into the boat, fellow; I will follow anon."

Hake turned on his heel and returned to the boat, while Erling took
Guttorm aside.

"Now, art thou fey?" [death-doomed] said Guttorm. "What has made thee
so tired of life that thou shouldest put thy neck under his heel thus
readily?"

"Fear not, my friend," said Erling; "now that I have seen King Harald a
second time, I think him a better man than at first I did. Ambition
will no doubt lead him to do many things that are contrary to his
nature; but I do not think he will violate the laws of hospitality after
what has passed. However, I may be wrong; so I would ask thee, Guttorm,
to go aboard of your ship, which lies nearest to that of the King, and,
should ye see anything like a struggle, or hear a shout do thou haste to
th