ldorman and I have met before, as I am
certain."

"Faith, we have," said Odda. "Nor am I likely to forget it. It was
at Ashdown fight."

"And elsewhere," said the jarl. "But it was ever fair fighting
between us."

"Else had you slain me when I was down," said Odda frankly, and
with a smile coming into his face.

"The score is even on that count," said Osmund, and with that, with
one accord their hands met, and they laughed at each other.

That was good to see, and ever should things be so between brave
foes and honest.

Then Osmund looked at me.

"Now have I met with two men whom I have longed to see," he said,
"for you must be King Ranald Vemundsson. Two foes I have--if it
must be so said--of whom I have nought but good to say."

"So," laughed Odda. "When fought you twain, and which let the other
go?"

"We have not fought," the jarl answered. "But I have deeper reason
for thanking Ranald than for sparing my own life, or for staying a
blow in time out of sheer love of fair play."

Then he took my hand and looked me in the face.

"It was a good deed and noble that you wrought for me but the other
day," he said earnestly. "I do not know how to thank you enough. My
daughter laid command on me that I should seek you and tell you
this; but indeed I needed no bidding when I heard how she escaped."

"I had been nidring had I not helped a lady in need," I said, being
in want of better words.

"What is all this?" said Odda; for I had told him nought of the
matter, not seeing any reason to do so.

Then Osmund must needs tell him of what Kolgrim and I had done; and
the ealdorman laughed at me, though one might see that the affair
pleased him.

"This king," he said, "having no kingdom of his own, as he says,
goes about helping seasick ealdormen and lonely damsels, whereby he
will end with more trouble on his hands than any kingdom would give
him."

"I am only one," I said; "Kolgrim and Thord are in this also."

Then Osmund took a heavy gold bracelet from his arm.

"This is for Kolgrim, your comrade," he said, half doubtfully, "if
I may give it him in remembrance of a brave deed well done. Will he
be too proud to accept it?"

"I may give it him, certainly," I said, taking the gift.

Then Odda would not be behindhand, and he pulled off his own
armlet.

"If Kolgrim is to be remembered, Thord will never be forgotten.
Give this to him in sheer gratitude for swearing at me in such wise
that he overcame the