The Thrall of Leif the Lucky: A Story of Viking Days

oss a bog and zigzag up a hill,-they had not grazed a stone or snapped a twig; it seemed that every stride must bring them in sight of the game. Then, on the other side of the sl

noisily against a stone. Instantly, from somewhere in the white distance, came like an echo the sound of c

till shod looked scathingly upon the third as he came plunging down,

eered; and the other one gibed: "Would you like

g that he was reduced to silence. They swung after him in high feat

here in the packed and trampled snow and the gnawed branches and pe

herd if nobody had spo

in search of the new trail-uttered his low whistle and was off like a hare. Like hounds a

e poles to change their course, rudder-like. Finding coasting too slow now, they took the last half of each hill at a leap. And wh

ed. Farther on, the trail itself that had been so straight began to show the wavering of the panic-stricken. At last the hunters came to a place

and there in the open space beyond was the prey, six pan

, at sight of the huge, shaggy, ungainly bodies with antlers like shov

k answered them with the

rust of his skee-staff into the snow, and following that act by casting it aside

antlered head and, while the other five moved on, wheeled a

murmur, but the withdrawal of the five s

way!" they cried savagely, and started forward e

had suddenly a glimpse of eyes like balls of green fire; something which had looked as fixed as a boulder became, lightning-q

he uttered a hoarse cry as he saw Brand's hastily aimed arrow bury itself harmlessly in t

ier than the arm that held his bow. Drawing back the string with all his strength, he sent an arrow through th

"There is as much ahead, and more besides!" and leaped forward. And Alrek plucked forth another arrow and drew himself up to spring over the dead forester lying high before him-drew himself up and then pau

stretched forth his ha

ooked over their shoulders at him, cr

"Come back. To kill them also would be a low-minded act. He too

ich the last dark form was disappearing. Then the obedience bred

e chief," h

ough you should spend all your breath, you would not

s hand; in the grasp of his other hand was his bow. F

l do any hunting for some ti

t to Brand's temper. Hissing defiance, i

twang of Alrek's bow-string. Then his right arm dropped at his side with an arrow through it. His chief had foretold tr

laughter; but the Sword-Bearer, as soon as

big words, you have only your own fooli

ipboard; but there was no less of a swagger in his bearing. "Who says I paid too much?" he panted. "I shal

. Amusement was still alight in them when he stepped forward and held out his hand, yet there was also in his manner a new cordiality. "It has never happened to me

at the same time he yielded his palm with flattered willingness. A little later he ev

t heaps of evergreen boughs around the leaping fire, fed to repletion on the daintiest food they knew, pouring their heart