"King Agne was exultant over his victory and he wanted to make the Princess Skialf his bride. So he said to his henchmen:
"'Let a spacious tent be erected beneath that fine oak-tree on yonder tongue of land. Then let my swiftest runners carry staffs of invitation to all the chieftains round about and bid them gather at a royal feast to celebrate the wedding of King Agne and the fair Princess Skialf. Command them that they bring a goodly store of meat and drink for the feast.'"
"Miss Eklund told us about the messengers' staffs when we went skating, so I know about them," interrupted Sigrid.
"These sticks were burned at one end, with a noose at the other end. This was a very plain way of telling the chieftains that they would be hanged and their houses burned, if they neglected to send the message on to the next chief.
"So a large number gathered in the huge tent which looked out on the Baltic, where the dragon-prowed ships lay at anchor.
"All this time the poor princess was very unhappy. But she dared not let the king know her fears. She thought and thought how she could escape becoming his bride. Finally a plan grew in her mind and she said to the king:
"'O brave and generous king, I beseech you that, before the royal wedding feast, you hold a funeral banquet in honour of my noble sire. My lord, may you give ear to this great favour which a captive maiden begs for her father.'
"The princess prayed so piteously that the heart of the old Viking was melted, and he again commanded:
"'Let the two feasts for my slain enemy and for my wedding be celebrated at the same time.'
"The goodly company gathered around the royal board, and fell to eating and drinking with great zest. The grave-ale was handed around in a huge drinking-horn, and the lusty warriors drank so long and so deep that soon they became boisterous and began to fight among themselves.