Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

Swain’s Justice ‘That may be so,’”’ admitted Thorbiorn. “After all, I ask no more than that you as- sure me quarter, kinsman. I will leave the decision in this case entirely to you. Is not that fair to all concerned? It means that instead of a raven’s feast here on Kal- fadal men may return to their wives and children, and you can judge me at leisure.” Jarl Rognvald’s men cried out against this suggestion, but Jarl Harald was im- pressed by the apparent fairness of what Thorbiorn offered. “He will surrender without more blood- letting,” he argued with those who op- posed Thorbiorn’s terms. ‘What more could you wish? Because the Jarl has died is no reason why a score of you should foliow him.” “Your words are as senseless as those of a child in fear, Lord Jarl,” interposed a new voice, and those surrounding Jarl Harald turned to meet Swain. ‘“The punishment for Thorbiorn’s offense is death, and if you offer him anything less you betray Jarl Rognvald and his trust in you.” Jarl Harald colored deeply. He was a very swart man, and when his feelings were hurt his face turned darker yet. “T can see that you are set upon making trouble, Swain,” he said coldly. ‘“‘It is the conduct you are best at.” ‘*T do not call it trouble,” answered Swain. “YT am after justice, and if you as Jarl will not secure justice for Jarl Rognvald and those of us who loved him, why, I am pre- pared to exact Swain’s justice.” “You hate Thorbiorn because he has quarreled with you and put away your sister,” charged Jarl Harald. “That is partly true,” said Swain. “It would be reason enough by itself, but if that were all I had against Thorbiorn I would go after him with my own men and ask assistance from nobody else. As it happens, he deserves to be punished first of all for his misdeed in slaying Jarl Rognvald as foully as he did Thorarinn. The one, who was a common man, he slew from be- hind in an inn; the other, who was a Jar!, he slew without warning, as a fugitive from the Jarl’s justice. Such a man is unsafe to leave at large in these lands, and there will be many who agree with me.” Now, Jarl Harald was deeply troubled, for in his heart he knew that Swain was right, yet every time he looked across the bog and the moss-hag at the stalwart figure 171 of Thorbiorn, whom he had loved since childhood, a qualm rocked his determina- tion and his thoughts went back to the many kindnesses the outlaw had shown to him and the years of love that had linked them together. “T have no desire to quarrel with you at such a time, Swain,” he said. ‘But I ask you to remember that Jarl Rognvald’s first thought was always for the safety of the Orkney folk. Would he ask us to be the means of the deaths of a score or two of men for the purpose of slaying Thorbiorn out of hand—when Thorbiorn, himself, has offered to surrender and submit his case to me for trial?” Swain smiled mockingly. “Ah, yes, Lord Jarl, Thorbiorn has offered to accept quarter and a ‘fair’ trial from you because well he knows that if he ever had your ear for a day you would never suffer his death. Exile you might give him, but no worse. And well do we know it, too—nor will we tolerate it.” Jarl Harald’s hand flew to his sword. ‘“‘T have accepted plain speech frem you, Swain, but I am at the end of my patience,” he warned. “So am I,” roared Swain. “Jarl you may be, but I have known you since you were breached. What? Do you think I will tolerate such injustice from one I did more to make than Thorbiorn? By the Old Gods, I say no!” Some of Jarl Harald’s followers would have come at Swain for this, but he waved them aside with his bare hand, and went on, his icy-cold, blue eyes boring into the Jarl’s dark face. “Lord Jarl,” he said more gently, “your wits have been benumbed by your affection for one who has ceased to merit it. Con- sider this case fairly. If you give quarter to Thorbiorn after such a crime as he has committed, people will say that he com- mitted it in your interest.” “They will lie,” interrupted Jarl Harald. ‘“Thorbiorn already has told you before us all that what he did was in your interest,” exclaimed Jomar. “Tt is not true,” insisted the Jarl. “So you say,’’ said Swain, “yet, as I have told you, the people will soon be saying openly that you had plotted Jarl Rogn- vald’s death with Thorbiorn, and arranged it under cover a long time since. They will even say that Thorbiorn quarreled with me COnmiclooo® Cc S (C@