my home from me, so that I am now a poor lass, compelled to stand
here on the cold quay and clean fish? Should I not remember that
they have slain all those near to me, and should I not remember
most of all the man who plucked my foster sister from the wall and
slew her who was so dear to me?"

But when the tender little maid gave proof of such great wrath,
the three Scottish campaigners burst out laughing. So full of
merriment were they that they went off, lest Elsalill might take
offence. They walked across the harbour and up a narrow alley
which led to the market-place. But long after they were out of
sight Elsalill heard their roars of loud and scornful laughter.




CHAPTER III

THE MESSENGER



A week after his death Herr Arne was buried in Solberga church,
and on the same day an inquest was held upon the murder in the
assize house at Branehog.

Now Herr Arne's fame was such throughout Bohuslen, and so many
people came together on the day of his funeral, both from the
mainland and the islands, that it was as though an army had
assembled about its leader. And so great a concourse moved between