handfuls.

Brass Borgar spoke with the utmost deprecation: "I say nothing against
your feelings, chief; and there are not a few who think as you do; yet
I ask you to remember one thing. I ask you to remember that no Dane has
ever held back in battle because he had the Traitor's help. Canute uses
him to strengthen his back; never to shield his face. The Islanders' own
mouths have admitted that the odds are against ten Englishmen if they
face one Dane. I think it is because he is out of patience with the war
that the King makes of the Gainer a time-saver. It has been told me that
he fights not for love of it, nor yet for glory, but because he covets
the land of--"

Like the bellow of an angry bull, Rothgar's voice broke through his.
"Land! Quickly will I proclaim my opinion of any man who sets his heart
on that! He who forgets glory in his eagerness for property, deserves
the curse of Thor!"

"Prepare yourself, then, for a thunderbolt, Rothgar Lodbroksson," a
clear voice spoke up suddenly.

None but had forgotten the red-cloaked figure munching its bread in
the shadow behind them. One and all started in surprise. And the chief
turned over his shoulder a face that was livid with anger. "You--you
dare!" he roared.

But Randalin's heart was too full of bitterness to leave any room
for fear. At the moment, it seemed to her that it did not matter what
happened. She stood before the Jotun as straight and unbending as a
spear-shaft, and her eyes were reflections of his own. Her wonder was
great when slowly, even while his eyes blazed, Rothgar's mouth began
to twitch at the corners. All at once he rolled over on his back with a
shout of laughter.

"By Ragnar, there will not be many jests to equal this!" he gasped.
"That a titmouse should ruffle its feathers and upbraid me! Here is
merriment!" He lay there laughing after the others had joined in with
him; and his face was not entirely sober the next time he turned it
toward her. "Good Berserker, give me leave to live some while longer in
order that I may explain my intentions."

Yet when he had risen, a change came into his voice that brought
every man to his feet. "We will make ready to go at cockcrow," he said
abruptly. "If it were only a matter of a couple of days, I would wait;
but since it will be at least a week before we can expect them to give
in, I think it unadvisable to waste more time. Since the King is in this
temper, the next battle may well be the last; an