the Red One and expostulations to Leif. Others felt furtively for their
weapons. Some of the women turned pale and clung to each other. Helga
arose, her beautiful face shining like a star, and left their ranks and
came over and seated herself on Leif's foot-stool, though the voice of
Thorhild rose high and shrill in scolding. Leif's men straightened
themselves alertly, and fixed upon their master the eyes of expectant
dogs. Thorwald hurried to his brother, and laid hands on his shoulders,
and endeavored to argue with him.

Leif put him aside, as he arose and faced his father. Through the tumult
his voice sounded quiet and strong, the quiet of perfect self-command,
the strength of a fearless heart and an iron will.

"It is a great grief to me that you dislike what I have done; yet now I
think it best to tell you the whole truth, that you cannot feel that I
have acted underhanded in anything."

Eric gave vent to a sound between a growl and a snarl, and flounced in
his chair. Thorhild made her son a gesture of entreaty. But Lei/,
looking back into the frowning faces, calmly continued:

"Olaf Trygvasson converted me to Christianity two winters ago, and I
tell you truly that I was never so well helped as I have been since
then. And not only am I a Christian, but every man who calls himself
mine is also one, and will let blood-eagles be cut in his back rather
than change his faith."

No sound came from Eric; but his mouth was half open, as though his rage
were choking him, and his face was purple and twitched with passion. He
had picked up the ugly little bronze battle-axe that leaned against his