disagreeable remark. "Ugh! I do not agree with you. I think his behavior
was weak-kneed. Knowing their hatred against the word Christian, all the
more would I have dinged it into their ears; that they might not think
they had got the better of me. Now they believe he has become ashamed of
his faith and deserted it."

The three broke in upon him in an angry chorus. Alwin said sternly: "You
speak in a thoughtless way, Egil Olafsson. You forget that he still
wears the crucifix upon his breast. How can they believe that he has
forgotten his faith or given it up, when they cannot look at him without
seeing also the sign of his God?"

Egil turned away, silenced.

This feast of Thorkel Farserk was the first of a long line of such
events. With the approach of autumn, ships became a common sight in the
fiords-Those chieftains who had left Greenland in summer to spear whales
in the northern ocean, or make trading voyages to eastern countries, or
cruise over the high seas on pirates' missions, now came sailing home
again with increased wealth and news-bags bursting. For every traveller,
wife or kinsman made a feast of welcome--a bountiful entertainment that
sometimes lasted three days, with tables always spread, and horns always
filled, and games and horse-races, and gifts for everyone. At each of
these celebrations, Leif appeared in all his splendor; and his tactful
tongue held for him the place of honor. His popularity grew apace. The
only thing that could keep step with it was the exultation of his
followers.