was a short one, and he turned away
abruptly to begin a restless pacing to and fro. "You choose your words
in a thoughtful way," he said. "It is seen that you do not say how it
would be if he were to hold his sword against mine." Pausing before
Rothgar, he jerked his head toward the scroll. "Do you know what that
is? That is a challenge from the Ironside."

"A challenge?" his listeners cried in chorus.

He seemed to take petulant offence at their surprise. "A challenge. Did
you never hear the word before, that you stare like oxen? He invites me
to settle this affair by single combat on the island, yonder; and there
is the greatest sense in what he says. Every one who has a man's wit is
tired of the strife; and if we continue at it, there will not be much to
win besides ashes and bones."

Rothgar sat gazing at the wooden door as though he could see through it
the huddled groups outside. "Now by no means do I think it strange that
your host is not in high spirits," he said.

With an impatient shrug the King moved on again. "It has happened, then,
that the news has spread? I wonder whether they are troubling themselves
most for fear that I shall undertake this fight and get killed, or for
fear that I shall turn back from it and the war will be obliged to go
on. And I should be glad if I knew what expectation was uppermost in
the Gainer's mind when he made the plan. For certainly one sees his claw
behind the pen."

"May wolves tear him!" Rothgar burst out. "Two kings he has used as
oaten pipes, but never did I think that you would make the third."

Canute's foot jarred upon the earth; his face was suddenly aflame. "And
never will I, while my head remains above ground! Now are you even more
rash than you are wont! It is I who play on him, not he on me. Through
him, as through a pipe, I have tempted Edmund on; and through him, as
through a pipe, I have called Edmund off; and as with a broken pipe I
shall part with him when I am done,--and think it no falseness either,
since I know for certain that it is the fate he has in store for me, as
soon as I cease to be gainful for him." The worst of the young chief's
nature showed for an instant in the smile that widened his nostrils.
Then it gave way to another flash of temper. "Nor am I a pipe for your
plaything, either. What! Am I to be as a child between you and Thorkel,
that each time I follow the advice of one of you, I am to get a
tongue-lashing from the other? Have you