V
“YON STRANGER WITH THE HOOD OF FUR”
It was the fifth day of the fair, the day upon which Gyda, the blue-eyed beauty of the Island, would select her husband. Such a marshalling of young warriors as that report had brought! It seemed like the eve of a great battle. Mingling with the traders in silks and linens were the princes of every noble house in the land. A space had been cleared in the widest part of the street, and here was placed the dais for King Kavaran. Upon this platform stood the Princess Gyda, looking over the array of knightly manhood brought together in her honor. The wise men of her brother’s court, the Oolahans, out of their great learning had discovered that it was better for the peace of the kingdom that she should wed; and thus let the young warriors turn all their thoughts to the service of their country.
Fergus O’Niall had reached the fair early that morning, and was standing with Eogan upon the edge of the throng that surrounded the platform. Early as they were, this was as near as they could approach. Lurgha, the harper, and Connaire, the physician of the O’Nialls, were with them, for only the immediate attendants of the chiefs were allowed near the plat-
