"As I ought!" cried Helgi. "But hear me, and gibe not before the
end. I left that hall, accursed of the gods, and over full, I
fear, of drunken men, in the manner you witnessed. My counterfeit
of drunkenness was so exceedingly lifelike, that even when I got
outside I felt my head buzz round in the fresh air and my legs
sway more than is their wont. 'Friend Helgi,' I said to myself,
'you have drunk not one horn too few if you value your life at its
proper worth.' Upon that I applied a handful of snow to my face,
and thereupon, on counting my fingers, was able to get within one
of the customary number--erring, if I remember rightly, upon the
generous side, as befitted my disposition. But to get on to the
moving part of my adventures--Where do you take me now?"

"'Tis all right," replied Estein, "I take you to supper and a
fire. They come in my story."

"Lead on then," said Helgi. "To continue my tale: I walked with
much assurance up to the gateway, singing, I remember, the song of
Odin and the Jotun to prove the clearness of my head. There I
found a sentinel who, it seemed, had lately been sharing in the
hospitality of King Bue. Certain it is that he was more than half
drunk, and so fast asleep that he woke not even at my singing, and
I had to prod him with the hilt of my sword to arouse the
sluggard."

"Then you woke him!" exclaimed Estein, between amusement and
surprise.

"How else could I pass? The man leaned so heavily upon the gate,