s, winning both goods and renown, until he had become
exceeding rich and famous. Wicked and cruel men he slew, but peasants
and merchants and women he let go free, like the good Viking that he
was.

At length, after four years had thus passed away, Frithiof said to
Bjoern: "Weary am I of these expeditions, and therefore will I sail
away to Uplands and hold discourse with good King Ring."

"It is not good," said Bjoern, "to trust thyself in a rival's power. If
thou must do this rash thing at least go not alone."

"I am never alone," replied the hero, "while my sword hangs at my
side."

Frithiof now made preparation for his journey, and when he said
farewell to his companions he was clad in a cloak of skin which
completely covered him, and he walked with two staves as one who is
bowed down with years. His face, too, was covered with a great beard.

It was eventide when he entered the king's hall and stood far down by
the door with his cloak drawn over his face.

Then the king said to the queen as she sat by him at table: "There has
just come a man into the hall taller by far than other men."

And she answered without interest that that was no great news.

Then the king sent for the stranger and questioned him as to whence he
came; and because he loved to show hospitality he bade him seat
himself at his side. "But," said he, "let fall that shaggy hide, which
covers, as I think, a proper man."

Then Frithiof showed himself in a dark-blue kirtle, with the ring
gleaming on his arm and his sword girt to a broad silver belt, from
which hung a well-filled purse. And when the queen saw that arm-ring
she knew Frithiof, in spite of the great beard that he had grown; but
she betrayed her recognition only by her changing colour and the
heaving of her breast.

Now the king soon grew to love Frithiof, whom he compelled to stay
with him all the winter through. Little and seldom spoke the queen to
him, but by the king he was ever regarded with a glad and smiling
countenance.

Then it came to pass that one day Frithiof had accompanied them to a
banquet, and their way lay over a lake. And Frithiof warned the king
that the ice on this lake was not safe. Scarcely had the king thanked
him for his care when the ice broke, and the sledge with the royal
pair upon it must have been submerged had not Frithiof dragged it
forth and saved their lives. Then said the king, looking at him very
kindly: "Well done, good friend, Frithiof the