e is clad in a
grey frieze cloak and low-brimmed felt hat; he carries in his
hand a broken fence-rail.)

KARE. Well met, Vikings!

ORNULF. Vikings are seldom well met.

KARE. If ye be honourable men, ye will grant me refuge among you;
Gunnar Headman's house-carls are hunting me to slay me.

ORNULF. Gunnar's?

SIGURD. Then has thou done him some wrong!

KARE. I have done myself right. Our cattle fed together upon an
island, hard by the coast; Gunnar's men carried off my best oxen, and
one of them flouted me for a thrall. Then bare I arms against him and
slew him.

ORNULF. That was a lawful deed.

KARE. But this morning his men came in wrath against me. By good
hap I heard of their coming, and fled; but my foemen are on my tracks,
and short shrift can I look for at their hands.

SIGURD. Ill can I believe thee, peasant! In bygone days I knew
Gunnar as I know myself, and this I wot, that never did he wrong
a peaceful man.

KARE. Gunnar has no part in this wrong-doing; he is in the south-
land; nay, it is Hiordis his wife----

DAGNY. Hiordis!

ORNULF (to himself). Ay, ay, 'tis like her!

KARE. I offered Gunnar amends for the thrall, and he was willing;
but then came Hiordis, and egged her husband on with scornful words,
and hindered the peace. Since then has Gunnar gone to the south,
and to-day----

SIGURD (looking out to the left). Here come wayfarers northward.
Is it not----?

KARE. It is Gunnar himself!

ORNULF. Be of good heart; methinks I can make peace between you.

(GUNNAR HEADMAN, with several men, enters from the left. He is in
a brown tunic, cross-gartered hose, a blue mantle, and a broad
hat; he has no weapon but a small axe.)

GUNNAR (stops in surprise and uncertainty on seeing the knot of men).
Ornulf of the Fiords! Yes, it is----!

ORNULF. Thou seest aright.

GUNNAR (approaching). Then peace and welcome to thee in my land, if
thou come in peace.

ORNULF. If thy will be as mine, there shall be no strife between us.

SIGURD (standing forward). Well met, Gunnar!

GUNNAR (gladly). Sigurd--foster-brother! (Shakes his hand.) Now
truly, since thou art here, I know that Ornulf comes in peace. (To
ORNULF.) Give me thy hand, greybeard! Thy errand here in the north
is lightly guessed: it has to do with Hiordis, thy foster-daughter.

ORNULF. As thou sayest; great wrong was done me when thou didst bear
her away from I