Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

Swain’s Justice who was in Orphir on business with his wife’s relatives, shouted— “Yes, yes, you are one to curry favor with the Jarl and Swain, Thorarinn, and much good may it do you!” Thorkell clapped his hand to his sword as he spoke, and Thorarinn did the same, half-expecting an attack; but at a sign from Jarl Rognvald his house-carls came between | the two. “Let us make an end to talking,” said the older Jarl wearily. “This case is judged—unless Swain has aught to say. He has said little so far.” ““He whose cause is just does not require argument,’ answered Swain. “TI have noth- ing more to say.” 7 Thorbiorn’s face turned purple with rage, and he drew his sword partway from its sheath, pushing it back again as Jarl Rognvald’s house-carls started toward him. “‘Justice!’”’ he cried. ‘Here is no justice! But I might have expected it. All men say that both you Jarls fear Swain, for the one he showed how to conquer the islands and the other he fetched in as a boy to keep check upon the first. I am through with you.” Jarl Rognvald stood up, and the anger on his face was terrible to see. “Take him, house-carls—” he started to say, but Jarl Harald caught his arm. “No, no, Rognvald,” cried the younger Jarl. “The man is beside himself. He will yet be sorry for it. Let him go.” Jarl Rognvald drew a deep breath. “Very well,” he said finally. “Let it be SO, since you ask it, Harald. But no other man—no, not even Swain—has ever so flouted me, and lived. Beware lest you rouse my wrath again, Thorbiorn Klerk. The next time I shall not be merciful.” Thorbiorn’s acknowledgment of the Jarl’s grace was a scowl of hatred, and he shouldered his way from the hall at the head of his followers. III =4| IT WAS well toward evening when ! V Thorbiorn left the skalli, and Jarl <= Rognvald invited Swain and others of the chiefs to remain and drink ale with him and Jarl Harald. There was much interest in the deeds Swain had performed upon his last expedition, and he described them at some length, always scrupulous to 163 give Thorbiorn a full measure of credit for what he had done. Jarl Harald spoke of this as the serving-men were lighting the candles with the deepening of the twilight. “Tt is plainly to be seen that you have no feeling against Thorbiorn Klerk,” he re- marked sadly, “‘and I marvel at the bitter- ness which he displayed against you.” “He is not the first man to set too much store by himself,” replied Swain, “yet I should be dishonest did I deny him the merit of being a skilful warrior and always forward in the weapon showing.” ‘“‘We must make shift to compose the difference between you two,” said Jarl Harald. “It is not chiefs like you, grown men, seasoned in war, who set the islands by the ears with their disputes.” “My hand is Thorbiorn’s whenever he expresses himself satisfied with the treat- ment I gave him and with Jarl Rognvald’s justice,’’ answered Swain. “How say you, Rognvald?” asked Jarl Harald. ‘Will you forgive Thorbiorn his rash speech?” Jarl Rognvald was in all things kind of heart and disposed to forgiveness, so easy- going, in fact, that many men accused him of making it a vice. “‘Thorbiorn Klerk is a good fellow, if hot- headed,” he said now. “Let him unsay what he must know was false, and [——” There was a great commotion outside the skallt, with shouting of men’s voices, the shrill screams of women and a clatter of weapons. Jarl Rognvald leaped up and buckled his sword about him. “Perhaps I spoke too soon,” he com- mented. Jarl Harald and Swain and the others followed his example as the uproar out- doors became louder and louder. . “The village is crowded with viking- farers and island folk here for the market,” said Jarl Harald. ‘“There must be some brawl toward. Swain, you will have to punish your men if they have broken loose.” But at this Erik Bitling ran in the skalli door. “Haste, Lord Jarls!” he shouted. ‘“Thor- kell, Thorbiorn Klerk’s man, set upon Thorarinn in the village street, and Thor- arinn slew him, and is fled to the church with Thorbiorn and all the Caithness men at his heels.” “Humph,” said Swain, “this becomes more serious.” COMmMiICLOOOkKS.CGO©