clearly; it was what came after it. True to his interpretation of
hospitality, Eric had punished the murder of his guest's servant by
lopping off, with his own sword, the right hand of the murderer;
whereupon Leif had sworn to mete the same justice to any man of his who
should slay a follower of Eric.

Slowly, as the blaring horns and trampling hoofs drew nearer, the three
rose to their feet. Only Alwin struck the ground a savage blow with the
bat he still held.

"By Saint George! it is unbearable that we should be forced to act in
such a foolish way! Has Leif less spirit than a wood-goat? I do not see
what he means by it."

"Nor I," echoed Sigurd.

"Nor I," growled Egil. "I believed he had some of Eric's temper in him."

"I do not see why, myself," Rolf admitted; "but I see something that
seems to me of greater importance, and that is how he looked when he
gave the order."

They followed him across the grassy enclosure, though they still
grumbled.

"Where shall we go?"

"The stable also is full of Eric's men."

"Before long we shall be shoved off the land altogether. We will have to