EGIL [With his foot, covering the pelt with the ashes.] Killed and flayed. Huzza, mine earls, For Yorul and his kill.

THE MEN [Gather round Yorul.] Huzza!

EGIL ’Tis buried. [Aside.] He knows, he knows; I will avenge me. [Looks keenly at Rolf.] Well, What art thou gazing on?

ROLF On nothing.

EGIL Liest, Liest; art gazing on my brow. What, what? ’Tis bandaged, ah! What then? What then, I say?

ERIC Why, he is wounded.

EGIL Traitors! traitors all! Aha, by Loki, but you lie. I fell— You lie! My horse was diked. I fell and gashed me, My brow, my thigh. Why not my brow and thigh? May not a huntsman fall from ’s saddle? Liars! I limp, but not for that. I will limp! [Suddenly changing.] Hark! [He springs to the window.]

YORUL What dost thou hear?

EGIL They smell the blood. They come To dig it up. Their nozzles scour the gorse. Yorul! Yorul!

YORUL [To whom Egil clings.] ’Tis nothing.