Now Sigurd believed that Olaf had surely taken his advice, and gone
at once across the river to hide himself in Grim Ormson's hut, so
he was not in any way anxious.

"Take the lad wheresoever you can find him," said he to the viking.
"And if you cannot find him before the sunrise, then I will pay
you his just value in gold."

"Though you offered me all the gold you are worth," returned
Klerkon, "I would not take it in place of the boy. No thrall born
lad is he, but of noble descent, and I intend to make a viking of
him and take him with me west over sea to England. It is not well
that a youth so clever as he should waste his years in an inland
town. He was meant by his nature for the sea, and I think that he
will some day prove to be a very great warrior."

At this Sigurd Erikson grew sick at heart, for he knew that the
viking was a man of very strong will, and that no half measures
would serve to turn him from his purpose. Also, he felt that it was
now useless to attempt any deception concerning Olaf. The vikings
had recognized the boy, and none other could be passed off in his
stead.

With a gloomy cloud on his brow, Sigurd left the tent and made
his way back to the king's hall in search of his nephew. Olaf was
not there. The hours went by, and still there was no sign of him.
Neither did Klerkon come to make claim to his prize.

It was in the evening time. Sigurd sat alone in his room at the back
of the great hall. He was thinking that Olaf had become strangely