Yet there was no actual proof of treachery, and he could only
watch and listen. And certainly there was noise enough to be
heard. Never among the most hardened drinkers of their own country
had the foster-brothers seen such an orgie. The king, a foolish-
looking old man, evidently completely under Thorar's influence,
became very soon in a maudlin condition; man after man around them
grew rapidly more and more drunk; and all the time they themselves
were plied with ale so assiduously that their suspicions grew
stronger. So far as his followers were concerned, Estein was
helpless. He glanced round the hall now and then, and could see
them quickly succumbing to the Jemtland hospitality. Personally he
found it hard to refuse to pledge the frequent toasts shouted at
him, but at last, when the men near him had got in such a state
that their observation was dulled, he placed his drinking-horn on
his lap and thrust his dagger through the bottom. Then, by keeping
it always off the table, he was able to let the liquor run through
as fast as it was filled, and always drain an empty cup. Helgi had
adopted a different device. His head lay on his arms, and in reply
to all calls to drink he merely uttered incoherent shouts, while
every now and then Estein could see that he would shake with
laughter.

Suspicious though he was, it came as a shock to Estein to hear his
worst fears suddenly confirmed. Tongues had been freely loosed,
and listening carefully to what was said, he heard the mutterings
of the chief next him take a coherent form.

"Ay, little they know," he was saying to himself. "Let them drink,
let them drink. Dogs of Norsemen, they came hither to harry our
country, and here they shall stay. Ay, they shall never drink