joined in the prayer.

But Helge, still cold and hard, made reply:

"The peasant's son might indeed have claimed the Princess Ingeborg,
but not he who has broken Balder's peace. Say, Frithiof, hast thou
not spurned the law of Balder's house and spoken to my sister within
his sacred walls?"

Then from the crowd of warriors came the murmur: "Say but nay, say
nay! The word of Thorsten's son is good as any king's. Say nay! Say
nay!"

But Frithiof made reply: "I will not lie to gain the joys of Asgard. I
have seen thy sister and spoken to her within yon walls, yet have I
not disturbed Balder nor broken his good peace."

Then all that assembly was filled with horror as they heard his words,
for they all feared the wrath of the god. Hoarse and gloomy was the
voice of Helge as he said:

"Now, by my great father's laws, I could condemn thee to banishment or
death, but, even as great Balder was mild, so shall my judgment be.

"Far away on the isles of the west dwells a mighty jarl named
Angantyr, who in my father's days paid yearly tribute to our land, and
since his death has kept all back. Away then to his realm, collect the
money, and bring it back to us. 'Tis said he is hard-handed, and will
meet with the sharp sword him who asks for his gold, but what is that
to thee? Hence, Frithiof, or be branded coward for evermore."

Then Frithiof bowed his head and departed, for he knew that it was the
will of Balder that this thing should be.

But first he went again to visit his betrothed and to bid her a sad
farewell. Heavy of heart was Ingeborg, for she knew that her brother
had planned an expedition that should cost Frithiof his life; but
Frithiof cheered her, reminding her that this Angantyr, whom men so
dreaded, was his father's oldest friend.

So Frithiof prepared to set out on his journey, but first he made a
pact with Helge that his possessions should rest in peace during his
absence, and the promise was confirmed with oaths.

Then Frithiof set out with eighteen of his companions, and they went
on board the swift ship _Ellida_ and sailed out beyond the bay.

But no sooner had he departed than the kings plundered and burnt his
village. After this, they sent two witches, and bade them send such a
terrible tempest against Frithiof and his followers that they should
all perish in the sea. To this the evil hags readily agreed, and,
having climbed to the top of a high mountain, began to cast their
wicked spells upon th