The Story of Rolf and the Viking's Bow

im with this matter and that, although it was clear that many things must be done by the hands of Rolf. Also Frodi the Smith, kinsman of the Cragness-dwellers,

s fifteenth year, was wise and foreseeing, and looked well to all that was trusted to his hand. Then the winter drew nigh; and the hay was stored, and the time came when the sheep must be gathered from their summer pastures, when the frosts drove them down from the uplands. All men met at the great sheep-fold which the father of H

i the Smith, who was the mildest of men, took the sheep from the hands of Ondott. This task Rolf gave to Frodi, because he would not himself have speech with Ondott, who was

eep is E

remember the wether,

" asked Ondott, "lik

but the mark is scar

"call Hiarandi hither

ed gravely: "My cousin shall not break his

l," answered Ondott. "The ma

he mixed little. "But," said he, "meseems this is best.

e for that. But draw thy whittle,

upon his long knif

e, then," asked Ondott, "if t

s to cut my bread and cheese, an

ndott said: "Betake thyself then to bread and cheese, but the s

own savings." But when he offered to pay, Rolf and Hiarandi were angered, for the wether was a good one. Ye

e sent and bade the shipmaster dwell with him for the winter; but Ondott Crafty, learning of it, won the shipmaster, by gifts, to stay with Einar. And that pleased Hiarandi not at all. Then the winter came, and

Still we sit here, and gaze at

is farm, not even the loss of his wether. I have set spies to watch

g to be done," answere

e Scot, the thrall of Hiarandi, stood often on the crag when his day's work was done, and gazed at the

ndott, "so much at the shi

But I have not the money to purchase my freedom, thoug

slip away now?" cried Ondott. "But perhaps thou

id the thrall,

ll what sort of man he is. Now I promise that if thou comest to him three nights henc

e gained his freedom by the trick. Thus was the work at Cragness ren

me, and I promise that in the end thy wishes will be fulfilled. Come, we will go to Cragness as before, and make

o armed?" a

ndott, "only witn

also was by, but he saw that they of Fellstead bor

lled unlucky. But Einar pities thy condition, and he offers thus: Take from him a smaller farm, and the difference in silver. And sin

ll man to chaffer over little things? This outlawry irks me not, and in two months I am free t

t indoors a

his journey shameful. "See," said he to Ondott, "where t

a good heart. Now what happens to him is his own fault, and no man can blame us." Then he commanded the two men that they should tell everyone w

hath sown the seeds of his own

the way of the second thrall of Hiarandi, and spok

work; and Hiarandi spares not himself, nor me eit

lighter," asked Ondott, "by

r he thought that time far away, since it was three years. For Hiarandi had the custom that a thrall should s

rall," said Ondot

said

ow went away,

he sea. No ship is now outward bound, nor is th

id Ondott. "There s

answered the thrall,

Thus only shalt thou be of service to Einar; but thou shalt

freedom?" replied the thrall.

hen for a time they spoke together, and cer