"Hear all," he said.

I went on without bidding, not seeming to note these things.

"The jarl and I hunted together, and the chance of the day parted
us, and he was slain; nor can I say by whom. But this man and I,
being found with his body, were accused of the deed. And because
there was no proof, our great earl, who loves even-handed justice,
would have us cast adrift, even as was Lodbrok; that the guilty
might suffer, and the innocent escape."

Then Ingvar rose up, white and shaking with wrath, and drew out his
sword. Whereon Beorn yelled and fell on the floor, grovelling with
uplifted hands and crying for mercy.

But the great jarl paid no heed to him, and hove up the sword with
both hands over my head, saying in a hoarse voice:

"Say that you lie--he is not dead--or you slew him!"

Now I think the long struggle with the sea, or my full trust in the
earl's words, or both, had taken away my fear of death, for I spoke
without moving, though the great blade seemed about to fall, and
the fierce Dane's eyes glared on mine.

"It were easy for me to have lied; I would that I did lie, for then
Lodbrok would be living, and I beside him, waiting for Halfden my
friend even yet."

"Odin!" shouted Ingvar; "you speak truth. Woe is me for my father,