knowest."

Estein's guide had been sitting before the fire, consuming a
supper of cold meat, and paying little heed to the talk, but at
the last words he rose, and throwing the bones on to the flames,
said,--

"It was by no will of mine; I bear no love to the Norsemen."

"Peace!" exclaimed Atli sternly. "Art thou too ungrateful for what
I have done for thee, and fearless of what I can do?"

"Babble on with this Norseman. I am tired," replied Jomar, and
leaving the fire, he rolled himself in a bear-skin, lay down on
the floor, and in a trice was fast asleep.

"Say now to me, Estein," continued the old man, "that thou holdest
me guiltless of all blame."

"Of all, save the snatching of me away from the fate of Helgi,"
replied Estein sadly. "Yet I remember that you yourself said that
our ends should not be far apart, so I think you have but delayed
my death a little while."

"Nay, rather," cried Atli enthusiastically, "believe that Helgi
lives since thy life is safe! I tell thee, Estein, many fair years
lie before thee. By my mouth, even by old Atli, the gods send a
message to thee!"

His exalted tone, the animation of his face, and the flash of his