etained it. "Should I be apt
to blame him for starving me if he did it because no better cheer was to
be had? Nor do I think you have proved much more liberal. Let me by to
the bread."

Instead, the ring narrowed around her; and the chief himself put
peremptory questions in his heavy voice. "Has he food? What do you mean?
Clear your wits and answer distinctly. Can you not understand that we
think this food-question of great importance? The thrall told us they
are wont to keep their provisions in the house we burned. Did he lie?"

"I do not know whether he lied or not," Randalin answered slowly; "but
it seems to me great foolishness that you did not take the time into
consideration. At the end of the harvest, any English house would be
fitted out for weeks of feasting. You came the night the larder was
fullest; and they have only spent one meal a day since."

Rothgar got upon his feet and towered over her, his Jotun-frame
appearing to swell with irritation. "Do you not know how provoking your
words are, that you are so glib of tongue?" he thundered. "Tell shortly
what you think of their case; can they last one day more?"

The black head nodded emphatically.

"Can they last two days?"

Another nod.

"A week?"

Fridtjof the Bold took refuge in sullenness. "They can last two weeks as
easily as one. How much longer are you going to keep me from food?" She
was free after that to do anything she liked, for their excitement was
so great that they forgot her existence. Those whose fluency was not
hampered by their feelings, relieved their minds by cursing. Those whose
anger could be vented only in action, made after the blundering serf.
And the few who were boldest turned and bearded the son of Lodbrok
himself.

"How much longer must we endure this?"... "Think of the game we are
missing!"... "There is little need to remind me. My naked fists could
batter the stones from their places--"... "In a week more, it is
possible that England may be won!"... "What do you care for their
wretched land, chief?"...

"Chief, how much longer must we lie here?"

When that question was finally out, every man heaved a sigh of relief,
straightening in his place like a dog that is pricking his ears, and
there was a pause.

A fell look came into the Jotun's face as he gazed back at them; and
for a time it seemed that he would either answer with his fist or not at
all. But at length he began to speak in a voice as keen and hard as his