thee.” Kark was muttering so indistinctly that Haakon could not catch the words; but the wolfish glare of the thrall’s eyes sent a sickening chill to the jarl’s soul. Again Kark’s weariness dragged him down to a fitful slumber. His heavy breathing and the struggles of his sleep made Earl Haakon rouse him. “What vision of fright is troubling thee, my thrall?”
“It was no vision of fright, but a pleasing fancy,” answered the drowsy thrall. “I dreamed I was at your own house in Hlade, in your own place, and that Olaf Tryggevesson did put a gold ring about my neck.”
Earl Haakon was faint with fear and great weariness. A golden ring on his thrall’s neck! The sign of royalty! But he answered pleadingly: “Beware of Olaf Tryggevesson, and be faithful to me. The meaning of thy dream is this: If thou goest to seek Olaf Tryggevesson, he will surely put a red ring about thy neck—a red ring of thy own blood, when his dagger has found thy throat. Beware of Olaf, and be faithful to me, and thou shalt enjoy many good things as thou hast done before.”
Kark muttered: “I shall surely enjoy many good things with the booty of Olaf Tryggevesson, when I shall deliver thee into his hands.”
Kark, sullen and weary, would not yield to sleep. Earl Haakon, in terror of Kark’s eyes that seemed to be devouring him, was afraid to fall into slumber. His eyelids were swollen from the ceaseless watch-
