EGIL They have found The scent. You cannot make them lose it, Yorul. You loop and loop for miles, plunge in the lake, Swim over, double through the thickets, spring All-feet from rock to rock in the ravine, Crouch in the fern and listen: still you hear them Belling behind you, all their big chests panting, Their red tongues lolled, the great hot breathing,—bloodhounds! Bloodhounds!
ROLF [At the window.] By Odin, see, yonder the dogs Of Ingimund; he hath them in the leash; Behind him, on a litter, they are bringing Arfi, the dwarf.
EGIL Yorul! Keep back the hounds! Mercy! Thou art no kin of theirs. They have No feud of blood with thee. Keep back the hounds! Mercy!
ERIC [Aside to men.] Still madder!
ROLF They are twoscore men, And we a handful; shall we fight?
EGIL Fight, madmen? Have ye not heard the hounds? Keep back the hounds. Go forth and bind their leashes to the trees. Bind them, and guard them, every slave of you! Go! Go!
ROLF What! fear their dogs?
ERIC Yorul, his eyes— They burn!
YORUL Be patient, master!
EGIL Treachery! You’ve lured ’em on. They come to dig it out; They smell the wounds. Ye have betrayed me.