"Lead on," replied Estein, and still holding his naked sword he
followed him across the court.

The man went swiftly up to the paling, and taking an axe from
under his cloak drove it hard into the wood as high above his head
as he could reach. Then with the agility of a cat he drew himself
up by it, seized the top of the fence, and sat there astride.

"Quick! quick!" he whispered. "Sheathe that sword, and stand not
like a fool looking at me."

Estein, though a much heavier man, was active and lithe, and his
guide, as he watched him mount, muttered,--

"That is better; we have a chance yet."

They dropped on the other side, and whispering to Estein to
follow, the man turned to the wood and was about to plunge in,
when his companion seized his arm, and said,--

"I trysted here with my foster brother. Till he comes I must
wait."

The Jemtlander turned on him savagely and answered,--

"Think you I have to succour you of my own pleasure? Never had I
less joy in doing anything. If your brother be not here now he
will never come at all. I was not told to risk my life for him.
Come on!"