A look of blank astonishment came over the Viking captain's face.

"This is a merry jest, Estein," he said.

"It is no jest.--Loose his bonds, men."

Liot gave a shout of joy.

"Estein," he cried, "you are a brave man, but I think you are
fey."

"That will soon be seen."

The Viking's cool indifference gave place to the most exuberant
excitement. Like everybody else he thought that Estein was either
mad or the victim of some enchantment; but so long as he was going
to strike a good blow for life, he cared not how the chance had
come. He called for ale and meat, and with the eye of an old
soldier carefully picked his weapons; while the men around him
muttered to each other that Estein was surely fey.

All this time they had been sailing eastwards before a light
breeze. The sun had long been up, but the whole sky was obscured
by light clouds, and there was an early morning feel in the air.
Nearly the whole length of the wide and lonely firth that divides
Orkney from the Scottish coast lay behind them, and close ahead
they saw the little island that Grim had chosen for the meeting-
place. When they had reached the holm they anchored the ship close
inshore, and two boat-loads of men were first sent to prepare the
field of battle. Then when all was ready the two combatants,