Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 168: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

166 can see that we shall have more trouble from my dispute with Thorbiorn—unless, that is, Thorarinn gave Thorbiorn sufficient excuse for the slaying.” “You say rightly that it is a bad business, Swain,” agreed Asolf. ‘‘And as for excuse, ‘there was none. Thorarinn was cut down as he drank in Gudrun Karl’s daughter’s inn, without a chance to draw a weapon.” “In Jarl Rognvald’s own village!’ he said. ‘The Jarl can never tolerate such an insult.” “He can not,’ answered Asolf. ‘More especially, seeing that Thorbiorn came secretly in the night with no less than thirty men, and after slaying Thorarinn burnt his house and drove out his family.” ‘“‘Where was the Jarl?” “He was visiting Bishop William, but he is now returned to Orphir with Jari Harald, and they take ship tomorrow for Caithness to bring punishment to Thor- biorn. The Lord Jarl summons you by me to accompany him, but he would not have you burden any of your people with service. His own house-carls will be sufficient.” “T will go gladly,” replied Swain. “Erik, do you don your mail, for I would have you with me. We shall have a deal of weapon play before Thorbiorn is punished; he is a mighty warrior.” “He is so,” assented Erik. “It is in my mind that Jarl Rognvald esteems him too lightly, for Thorbiorn is crafty as well as strong.” “Be that as jt may, little man,” said Swain, ‘‘it is not for us to instruct the Lord Jarl in how he takes his vengeance. Let us first see how the gods dispose the hearts of all concerned. And remember that Thor- biorn is my sister’s husband. If it is not too late for him to repent the course he has taken we may compose the matter without more slaying.” “Tt is not like you to talk so, Swain,” commented Erik. “You are all for blows first, and reason afterward.” “Ah,” said Swain, “but as I grow older I learn. Also, I would not have this quarrel widen, for it began with me. I know well how dear is Thorbiorn to Jarl Harald, and not for all my lands would I see a breach formed between Jarl Harald and farl Rognvald.”’ The three crossed the Aurrida Firth in Asolf’s boat to Rennadale, and so fared over the island paths on Hrossey to Orphir on the Adventure shores of Medallands Hofn. They entered the skallt of Jarl Rognvald an hour past candle-lighting, when the benches were crammed with chiefs and _house-carls. Asolf led them straight to the high table, where the two Jarls sat with Jomar, As- grim’s son, Magnus Gunni’s son and others of their kin. Jarl Rognvald welcomed Swain cheerily, but Jarl Harald’s dark face was mantled with sorrow. His meat lay untouched on the trencher in front of him and the foam was high upon his ale-cup. “Well I knew that I would not call for you in vain, Swain,” cried Jarl Rognvald. “tT had thought to bid you presently to ac- company us when we went to hunt the rein- deer in Caithness, but now it seems that we shall hunt nobler prey.” Jarl Harald flushed. “This prey is cousin to me, Rognvald,” he exclaimed. “Do you consider that in speaking as you do you add to my happi- ness?” Jarl Rognvald dropped a kindly hand upon the younger Jarl’s shoulder. “Tt am at fault, Harald,” he apologized. “But let me ask you this: If Thorbiorn is your cousin and has your sympathy, what of me, who am also cousin to you, who pro- tected you in your childhood and who have dealt always kindly by you, and who have been wronged without just cause, as all men agree, by the man with whom you sympathize?” Jarl Harald hid his face in his hands. ‘It is too much for me,”’ he cried. “On the one hand is Thorbiorn, who shared with Swain the fostering of me. On the other are you, Rognvald. Whatever happens If must suffer.’’ Swain took the seat between the two Jarls which Jarl Rognvaid thrust out for him. “Yes, Jarl Harald, all that you say is true,” hesaid. ‘But do not forget that you are a Jarl, and from a Jarl more is expected than from a common man.” ‘A Jarl is no more than a man, Swain,” protested Jarl Harald. “You, yourself, have often said it.” “That have I,”’ admitted Swain. ‘And it has been the fault of Jarls that I have said it. But none the less is it true that a Jarl should be more than a common man, and the great Jarls are those of whom it can be said that they remember oftenest that to COMICLOOCkKS.CO