nto three bands, which were to
be commanded respectively by Biarne, Thorward, and himself. These were
appointed to particular localities and duties in the little fortress--
for it was now almost entitled to such an appellation. When night drew
on, sentinels were posted as before. But there was no alarm during the
night. The savages appeared to have had enough of fighting for that
time, and next morning's sun arose, as it was wont to do, on a peaceful
scene.

"Do you think they will attack us again?" asked Gudrid as she sat at
breakfast.

"I think not," replied her husband. "They cannot but know that we are
troublesome fellows to deal with, even when taken unawares."

"I hope they won't go off without giving us a chance to show that we
desire to be friendly," observed Thorward.

"No fear of that," said Biarne; "we have got one of their chiefs--at
least I think he is so, for he looks like one--and that is as good as a
string tied to their great toe."

"By the way, how _is_ the chief, Bertha?" asked Karlsefin.

"Much better this morning. He slept well, and is even now sitting up on
his bed. He looked so well, indeed, that I took the precaution to
fasten the door on the outside when I left him just now."

"Ha! Didst fasten the window, wench?" cried Thorward, starting up and
hastening from the room.

"Truly, no," remarked the girl, with a somewhat confused look; "I never
thought of the window."

Thorward returned a minute later with a peculiar smile.

"He's all safe," said he; "I peeped through a small shot-hole in the
parchment, and saw him sitting there meditating as deeply as if he hoped
to meditate himself out of his prison."

"Not a difficult thing to do that," said Karlsefin. "I suspect that
most prisoners manage to free themselves in that way pretty often! But
who comes here in such hot haste? Why, Swend, what's i' the wind now?"

"The Skraelingers are coming," said he. "They come unarmed, and only
ten of them."

"Oho! good," exclaimed Karlsefin, rising. "Come, methinks I see my way
out of this difficulty. Fetch me nine of our smartest men, Biarne. I
will go forth with them unarmed, to meet those messengers of peace. You
and Thorward will keep the defences, to be ready for any emergency. Let
the Scottish brothers be among the nine."

When the selected men had assembled, their leader took them aside and
conferred with them for a few minutes, after which he led them towards
that part o