squall when we have left Leif and gone to our own homes, and it becomes
known to our kinsmen that we are no longer Odin-men. It is probable that
my father will stick his knife into me."

There was a pause while they digested the truth of this; until Rolf
relieved the tension by saying quietly: "Speak for yourself, companion.
My kinsman is no such fool. He has been on too many trading voyages
among the Christians. Already he is baptized in both faiths; so that
when Thor does not help him, he is wont to pray to the god of the
Christians. Thus is he safe either way; and not a few Greenland chiefs
are of his opinion."

Sigurd's merry laugh rang out. "Now that is having a cloak to wear on
both sides, according to the weather! If only Eric were so minded--"

"Is Eric the ruler in Greenland?" Alwin interrupted. All this while he
had been looking from one to the other, listening attentively.

The two sons of Greenland chiefs answered "No!" in one breath. Sigurd
raised quizzical eyebrows.

"I admit that he is not the ruler in name, Greenland being a republic,
but in fact--?"

They let him go on without contradiction.

"Thus it stands, Alwin. Eric the Red was the first to settle in
Greenland, therefore he owns the most land. Besides Brattahlid, he owns
many fishing stations; and he also has stations on several islands where
men gather eggs for him and get what drift-wood there is. And not only