n scolding. Leif's men straightened
themselves alertly, and fixed upon their master the eyes of expectant
dogs. Thorwald hurried to his brother, and laid hands on his shoulders,
and endeavored to argue with him.

Leif put him aside, as he arose and faced his father. Through the tumult
his voice sounded quiet and strong, the quiet of perfect self-command,
the strength of a fearless heart and an iron will.

"It is a great grief to me that you dislike what I have done; yet now I
think it best to tell you the whole truth, that you cannot feel that I
have acted underhanded in anything."

Eric gave vent to a sound between a growl and a snarl, and flounced in
his chair. Thorhild made her son a gesture of entreaty. But Leif,
looking back into the frowning faces, calmly continued:

"Olaf Trygvasson converted me to Christianity two winters ago, and I
tell you truly that I was never so well helped as I have been since
then. And not only am I a Christian, but every man who calls himself
mine is also one, and will let blood-eagles be cut in his back rather
than change his faith."

No sound came from Eric; but his mouth was half open, as though his rage
were choking him, and his face was purple and twitched with passion. He
had picked up the ugly little bronze battle-axe that leaned against his
chair, and was hefting it and fingering it and shifting it from hand to
hand. Gradually the eyes of all the company centred upon the gleaming
wedge, following it up and down and back and forth, expecting, dreading.

"If he does not wish to go so far as to slay his own son, he has yet an
easy mark in me," Alwin murmured, his eyes following the motions like
snake-charmed birds. "If he raises it again like that, I think I shall
dodge." Out of the corners of his eyes, he could see many movements of
uneasiness among Leif's men.

Only Leif went on quietly: "You have always known that your gods must
die, so it should not surprise you to be told now that they are dead;
and it should gladden your hearts to know that One has been found who is
both ever-living and willing to help. Therefore King Olaf has sent me to
lay before you, that if you will accept this faith as the men of
Trondhjem have done--"

Helga sprang aside with a shriek of warning. Eric's arm had shot up and
back. With a bellow of rage, he leaped to his feet and hurled the axe at
his son's head. Simultaneously came an oath from Valbrand and a roar
from the crew; then a thundering