d him as he passed. Thorhild, torn as she
was between anger and pride, was quick to catch its meaning and to use
it. Whatever Leif's faith, she was still his mother. Taking her life in
her hand, she bent over and whispered in Eric's ear.

The darkness of his face became midnight blackness,--then was suddenly
rent apart as with lightning. He brought his fist down upon the table
with a mighty crash.

"Stop! When did I say anything against lodging you? Do you think to
throw shame upon my hospitality before my guests? I will have none of
your religion,--I spit upon it. You are no longer my son,--I disown you.
But you shall sleep under my roof and eat at my board so long as you
remain in Greenland, you and your following. No man shall breathe a word
against the hospitality of Eric of Brattahlid. Thorhall, light them to
sleeping rooms!" His breath, which had been growing shorter and shorter,
failed him utterly. He finished with a savage gesture, and threw himself
back in his chair.

If Leif had consulted his pride, it is likely that that night Greenland
would have seen the last of him. But foremost in his heart, before any
consideration for himself, was the success of his mission. After a
moment's hesitation, he accepted the offer courteously, and permitted
Thorhall's obsequious attendance.

One can imagine the amazement of his followers when he came out to them,
not only unharmed, but waited upon by the steward and a dozen
torch-bearers.

"It is because he is the Lucky One," they whispered to each other. "His
God helps him in everything. It is a faith to live and die for."

They followed him across the grassy courtyard to the foot of the steps
leading up to his sleeping-room, and would not leave him until he had
consented that Valbrand and Olver should go in with him for a bodyguard.

"And this boy also," he added, signing to Alwin.

As Alwin approached, Kark had the impudence to shoulder himself forward
also.

"Chief, are you going to turn me out to lie with the swine in the
kitchen?" he said boldly. "Remember that every time you have slept in
this room before, I have lain across your threshold."

Leif's glance pierced him through and through. "Is it sense for a man to
trust his slumbers to a dog that has bitten him once? Go lie in the
kennel. If it were not for provoking Eric, you would not wait long to
feel my blade." He turned and walked up the steps, with his hand on
Alwin's shoulder.

CHAPTER XV