nd them so much cleverer than he expected that his
victory was without relish to him, and he was desirous to regain their
friendship."

A distinct chuckle came from Canute, and some murmur about the
Ironside's chin. Then he said, "Go on, and tell me everything you can
remember;" and once more lay staring at the ceiling in silence. He did
not appear to notice it when she stopped; the pause lasted so long that
Rothgar concluded that sleep had overtaken their host and rose softly to
betake himself to such cheer as the fires offered. As he made the first
step, however, Canute sat up suddenly, striking his fist upon the bunk.

"I will do it!" he said. While they stared, he rose and recommenced
his hurried pacing, his eyes keen and far away, his mouth set in grim
resolve.

"Do what, King?" the son of Lodbrok ventured at last.

Canute's eyes appeared to rest upon the pair without seeing them.
"Accept the challenge," he answered absently. Then the utter horror in
both faces brought him momentarily back. "You need not look like that.
I would not do it if I did not see a good chance to win. There are other
weapons than those which dwell in sheaths."

"But if you lose?" Rothgar's harsh voice was discordant with emotion.
"If you lose?"

The King silenced him impatiently. "I do not think I shall lose; but
if it be otherwise, then Fate will rule it. I prefer to risk everything
rather than to experience more delay." Catching the bewildered page by
the collar, he pushed him toward the door. "Run, boy, with all the speed
of your legs, and find Ingimund the Swimmer and fetch him here. And you,
foster-brother, if my fame is important to you, do you betake yourself
to those dumpish oafs around the fires and try, by any means whatever,
to remedy their faint-heartedness. Ask them if they want the host across
the river to think them turned into a herd of weeping bondwomen. Ask
them if they think thus to show honor to their King. Tell them that I
take it as no proof of their love; that I will have none of that halting
faith which limps up with a great cry after the show is over. Tell
them--Oh, tell them anything you think worth while--only that you
get some noise out of them! Evil will come of it if the Englishman is
allowed to believe that he has beaten us before ever he has struck a
blow."

Rothgar sighed as he moved forward. "I am very unfit to speak words of
cheerfulness to anybody; but this shall, like other things, be as you
wis